Passerelle de la Sorge
The 'Passerelle de la Sorge' connects the university site of EPFL and UNIL with the residential area of Chavannes-près-Renens and the new student residence 'Vortex'. The structure overpasses the Sorge river, the Sorge road and the M1 metro line. The geometry of the bridge is curved, both in plan and elevation. The Y-shaped form allows a direct connection to the entrance of the ‘Vortex’ and is a rigorous reflection of the site-specific requirements.
The V-shaped pillars minimize the number of bearings and let the bridge float dynamically above the ground. In cross-section the bridge tapers conically towards the edges and thus appears as a slender and horizontal line in the landscape. The fine railing follows the geometry of the bridge.
The reinforced and prestressed concrete structure is 110 meters long, 11 meters wide and spans 40 meters. It is founded on piles of 90cm to 120cm of diameter. Despite its size, the passerelle appears elegant, restrained and slender.
