SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

The Long Beach Seaside Way Convention and Performing Arts Centre Pedestrian Bridge, otherwise titled the “Rainbow Bridge”, provides a direct, public connection between the two major Long Beach venues.

Before the construction of the bridge, moving between the two destinations demanded climbing numerous flights of stairs to cross a stretch of Seaside Way, dominated by loading docks and HVAC equipment.

The initial solution proposed by SPF:architects was to build an elevated sidewalk between the two centres, but following an overwhelming response to the RFQ issued by the city, SPF:a chose to pursue a complete public amenity. The finished project is a spectacular 183-metre pedestrian bridge consisting of 76 custom-welded bent-steel ribs framing the top, and approximately 917 cubic metres of poured-in-place concrete shaping the base.

The bridge canopy features 3,500 colour-changing LED node lights, 100 downlights, and 70 floodlights, all of which can be programmed and synched to music to create different effects.

SPF:a worked closely with Carl Stahl Architektur to create the custom, three-piece, stainless-steel node clip that allows for the bridge’s LED wiring to attach to the canopy. The unique design also allows for ease of installation and replacement flexibility.

Power and drainage for the walkway plantings have been hidden within the concrete spine of the bridge. The overall design is heavily influenced by its beach surroundings; structural elements such as the hull-like formation have been married with the elegance and uniformity found in waves, while the LEDs were affixed to cables to convey a net-like feeling of a ship rigging.