Page 55 - Designing Ways 261
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Connecting people with various moods of speeds and activities.
                                            The project is a big step forward in collaboration and reimagination, solving
                                            the city's most pressing issues in a low-carbon context, increasing green space
                                            and walkability, reducing emissions and pollution, enhancing public health
                                            and developing a climate  resilience city.
                                            Photo credit: LANDPROCESS / Panoramic Studio



           was the first vehicle bridge across the   ends. Squeezed between two sides of   environment where visitors can see and
           Chao Phraya River, and a tribute to King   heavy traffic with just 8.5 metres of width,   be seen. Just as importantly, inclusivity
           Rama I, the founder of Bangkok.    the designers split the linear park into   has been prioritised, with lifts, rails,
             Inspired by elements of the Memorial   two interweaving pathways in order to   wheelchair ramps,  and  other  universal
           Bridge, the team of landscape architects   maximise space. The two divided weaving   design elements embedded throughout
           and architects decided that the new   pathways increase space perception, while   the park to enable access to all users.
           structure should not compete with its   separated spatial linear forms offer various
           predecessor, but rather should respect it.   speeds and activities such as walking,   Design with Limitation
           Emulating the curves of the Memorial   running, biking, or strolling across the   Building an entire park on an
           Bridge in a contemporary manner, the   bridge  park. Additionally,  the  CPSP   abandoned,  40-year-old  inaccessible
           CPSP humbly weaves into the slopes of its   provides a safe and beautiful strolling   Sky rail infrastructure is no easy feat. As
           precedent counterpart to adorn the city's   experience  for pedestrians  by elevating   part of their on-site investigation, the
           skyline in unison.                 all park structures above the roadways on   architectural team needed to estimate all
             For almost a century, the Memorial   each side, which also reduces noise and   dimensions and to experience then as
           Bridge has been one of the few spots in   pollution.                 if they were walking on the amputated
           the city where Bangkokians and tourists—  Traversing the shortest section of the   structure. Furthermore, with weight
           previously standing on a tiny passage   river, the bridge's length of 280 metres   limitations, the soil depth and the
           next to busy traffic—could take in the   appears straightforward in the visual   additional existing structure were critical
           panoramic scenery of Bangkok and the   distance. However, the design team   considerations during the design process.
           Chao Phraya River. The Memorial Bridge   aims to create a sense of exploration for   Between the right of way of 8.5 metres,
           was thus included within the frame as   pedestrians by hiding visual endpoints on   the design elements and construction
           part of the bigger picture. From the   both sides. For that reason, outlook steps   process could not disrupt or obstruct the
           CPSP, pedestrians can enjoy views with   on both ends rise as part of intertwining   parallel traffic on either side. With space
           the Memorial Bridge in the foreground,   walkways that extend the user experience.  and time constraints, the designers built
           overlooking  Bangkok's  postcard    At the Sky Park's midpoint, where   all bridge park structures with a modular
           destinations like the Temple of Dawn   the two divided pathways combine, part   system of precast GRC blocks, saving both
           (Wat Arun), the Temple of the Reclining   of the path weaves its way up to form a   construction time and costs. These GRC
           Buddha (Wat Pho), and the Wichai Prasit   curved hilltop walkway. Small cascading   blocks were assembled into various units,
           Fort. With a 360-degree panoramic view   steps carve out sitting areas for a linear   forming walls of diverse topography,
           of Bangkok over the River of the Kings,   performance stage created for special   planters, railing, and seating to frame the
           the Sky Park provides all Bangkokians   events.                      whole walking and driving experience
           with a unique viewpoint from which to   The Sky Park's design also opens up   inside out and outside in.
           observe both the city's past and present.  new and unique vistas for admiring   The wind force is a crucial factor for
                                              sunrises and sunsets over the river,   both the hardscapes and softscapes. The
           Widening spaces, while lengthening   juxtaposing Bangkok's historic district   planting design consists of various low-
           experiences                        and modern skyline on either side. In   maintenance plants—requiring less soil
             By merging two existing community   addition, the crisscross design of the   and having high resistance to wind and
           parks across the river, CPSP becomes   varying  elevations  of pathways  ensures   sun—with branches and forms that don't
           part of the park's connectivity on both   linear space visibility, promoting a safe   spread widely and obstruct both roadways







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