Sundial Span Soars into the Summer Solstice
If you ever find yourself near Redding California, especially on June 21st, you should make an effort to visit Santiago Calatrava’s pedestrian bridge, which spans the waters of the Sacramento River. In addition to being a stunning functional
work of art that attracts thousands of pedestrians, families, bicyclists and nature lovers, every year on the summer solstice the beautifully designed structure also functions as an accurate sundial.
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Calatrava’s Sundial Bridge accurately marks the time with its shadow every year on June 21st
The Poet of Glass and Steel
Time magazine has described Calatrava as the “poet of glass and steel”, who has completely “revolutionized the design of the places we move through and along”. The scores of bridges, airports and train stations that the architect has designed have “brought to the world of travel an incomparable high-tech lyricism”.
Indeed Calatrava’s creation in Redding does seem to bring a tangible joy and lyrical wonder to all that come across it. The soaring drama of the sundial span highlights the natural beauty of its surrounding environment. People are inexorably drawn toward the bridge to walk across it and explore its swooping angles.
Santiago Calatrava explains some of his ideas that helped to shape the innovative design of his asymmetrical footbridge:
“Asymmetry allows you to explore. You can emphasize things having to do with the position of the city against the water or the curvature of the stream.”
The bridge’s pedestrian walkway is constructed of nonskid glass that lights up at night, casting an ethereal luminescence upon the flowing water. The freestanding bridge never even touches the river, which is an important environmental concern, as this bend of the Sacramento River, known as Turtle Bay, is a sensitive nursery area for the endangered Chinook salmon.
Calatrava’s bridge is surrounded by many benches, foot paths and bike racks, which help to make the 300 acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park a very popular local destination.
“I was surprised, of course, to receive a call in Switzerland from California.” Santiago Calatrava explains. “But I was very much impressed by the commitment of these clients to do something special for their community. I agreed to go to Redding, and once there I saw how unbelievably beautiful their river was, with its surrounding mountains and forest. There was also the challenge to build something that would fit in with the topography, something that would not disturb the environment—a bridge that would not even touch the water.”
The Sundial Bridge is an excellent example of a community coming together to create a truly inviting public space that encourages physical activity, interacting with nature and each other. It celebrates a lovely green space where families can enjoy the environment and be active together. It is definitely worth a visit.
