An Inclusive Design Approach for a Bridge That Connects Buildings with Different Uses

The Shin-Sapporo Active Link is an elevated passageway that spans seven sites: four hospitals, a high- rise condominium, a commercial facility, a hotel, and a road area. The passageway connects these buildings in an elliptical shape, providing protection for pedestrians during the harsh winter climate. The perimeter opening of the passageway is supported by a Vierendeel structure, with the roof and floor cantilevered over the main structure. The inner perimeter is made entirely of glass. The ‘bridge’ spans all seven sites as a single, indivisible structure without expansion joints, creating an opportunity for each landowner to contribute land and collectively establish a shared public space.