MIES - Bridge Pavilion

The Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion by Zaha Hadid is organized around 4 main elements, or “pods”, that perform both as structural elements and as spatial enclosures. The Bridge Pavilion design is a result of detailed examination and research into the potential of a diamond shaped section which offers both structural and programming properties. As in the case of space-frame structures, a diamond section can efficiently distribute forces along a surface, whilst underneath the floor plate the resulting triangular pocket space can be used to run services.

The diamond section has also been extruded along a slightly curved path. The extrusion of this rhombus section along different paths has generated the four separate ‘pods’ of the Bridge Pavilion. The stacking and interlocking of these truss elements (the ‘pods’) satisfies two specific criteria: optimizing the structural system, and allowing for a natural differentiation of the interiors - where each ‘pod’ corresponds to a specific exhibition space. By intersecting the trusses/pods, they brace each other and loads are distributed across the four trusses instead of a singular main element, resulting in a reduction in size of load- bearing members.

Located above the main flood level, the Bridge Pavilion connects with each river bank via a smooth inclined terrain. Each pod is located on the same level, except one which is 1.5 meters above this main level and intersects with its adjacent pods. All but one of the pods include an upper floor, which hangs from the diamond section structure and provides views of the lower level.