Lucky Knot Bridge, Steel pedestrian bridge in Meixi Lake District, Changsha, China
The pedestrian structure spans 185 meters across the Dragon King Harbor River with a construction of three interwoven pathways in bright red steel. The winding form creates multiple levels that offer pedestrians different perspectives of the surrounding cityscape and water surface while serving as functional connections between riverbank areas.
Dutch architect John van de Water of NEXT Architects won an international competition in 2013 to design this crossing. Construction began in 2014, with engineers conducting complex calculations to realize the interwoven geometry. The official opening took place in October 2016, marking a significant milestone in the urban development of the Meixi Lake District.
The structure merges traditional Chinese knotting techniques with contemporary engineering to create a public space that has become a preferred gathering point for residents of the Meixi Lake District. The bright red color symbolizes luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, while the interwoven paths encourage social encounters across different levels.
The pedestrian crossing is freely accessible around the clock, with evening lighting that highlights the red steel construction. Visitors reach the site via Metro Line 2 to Meixi Lake station, followed by a 15-minute walk. Several entrances at different heights allow access from park paths, streets and both riverbanks, making it suitable for varied mobility levels.
The construction consists of three parabolic arches and five flat parabolic sections that form continuous pathways, allowing visitors to switch between different levels without leaving the structure. The mathematical precision of the geometry required custom steel components, each individually fabricated to ensure the continuous curves without structural interruptions.
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