Dejima is an artificial island founded and built in 1636. Japanese and Western knowledge, culture and products entered into contact with each other via the trade post by the Dutch East Indian Company. It was the only place where the Shogunate permitted contacts for 218 years. The city of Nagasaki is preparing Dejima’s nomination for the world heritage list UNESCO. In 2036 the island has to be again in its original spatial situation. As preface, the city has organized a competition for a new bridge between the island and the mainland. Ney & Partners Japan conceived a 38.5m long steel pedestrian bridge with a timber deck. It’s restrained design is influenced by its material context and the intention to build modestly in this place of historical importance. The human scale, but also the mainly wooden houses of Dejima determine the character of the bridge. Constructive simplicity was key in the design concept. The bridge is clamped at the main land abutment, and works as cantilever, on the side of Dejima, to avoid large foundations on the Dejima side of the bridge.

Program | Complete mission for architectural and structural design of footbridge
Study | 2013-2015
Execution｜2016-2017
Client｜City of Nagasaki
Budget｜400,000,000 yen　(incl. historical research)
Scale｜Length 38.5m, Main span 33m, Width 4.5m
Architect & Engineer | Ney & Partners
Site | Nagasaki, Japan
Image credit | momoko japan, Noriyuki Yamagashira

Distinctions
1st prize of design proposal competition
2018 Tanaka Awards、AACA Award 1st prize, Good design awards, 2nd prize of public commercial awards of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, JIA Excellent Building Selection, Belgium Steel Structure Awards