Grand Canal Gateway Bridge in Hangzhou by Zaha Hadid Architects
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the 390-meter-long Grand Canal Gateway Bridge in Hangzhou, China, is a sinuous pedestrian and cycling bridge linking the east and west banks of the Grand Canal. It features three intertwined steel arches inspired by traditional Hangzhou silk embroidery techniques
Drawing upon Hangzhou’s history in silk embroidery, Zaha Hadid Architects created three white arches that stretch over and under the Grand Canal Gateway Bridge. The steel bridge spans across China’s Grand Canal – the world’s oldest and longest man-made waterway – where it meets the Qiantang River, which is known in Hangzhou for its “Silver Dragon” bore – a type of tidal phenomenon. Two curved paths form the bridge’s walkway, bending towards each other over a central concrete island that divides the canal’s north and south waterways. At the centre point, the walkways curve perpendicularly and extend in opposite directions into two piers, designed to provide multiple points to view the surroundings and the Qiantang River’s tall waves.
Optimised through advanced digital 3D modeling to minimize material usage, the Grand Canal Gateway Bridge employed prefabricated modular construction with efficient on-site assembly to eliminate waste. The bridge’s construction strategy was specifically designed to shorten build time and minimize disruption to river traffic on the Grand Canal, currently used by 100,000 barges each year to transport 260 million tons of cargo sustainably within China. Using locally sourced materials and low-impact finishes, the project supported regional manufacturing and fostered sustainable construction through collective expertise. Powered by banks of batteries charged throughout the day by renewable energy, integrated LED lighting illuminates the bridge at night.
