# Weave Bridge

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The **Weave Bridge** is a 145 ft (44 m) bridge at the [University of Pennsylvania](/source/University_of_Pennsylvania), USA, which was conceptualized by [Cecil Balmond](/source/Cecil_Balmond)[1] and engineered by [Ammann & Whitney](/source/Ammann_%26_Whitney). It was commissioned by the university in 2007, and opened in June 2009.[2]

The bridge creates a pedestrian passage over the [Amtrak](/source/Amtrak) train tracks that currently separate the main campus from athletic fields along the [Schuylkill River](/source/Schuylkill_River). The design features a "braided rope" structure consisting of stainless steel strands. It marks the first milestone in the university's plan to transform a former [postal depot](/source/Postal_depot) into a 24-acre (97,000-square metre) complex, called [Penn Park](/source/Penn_Park).[2] The design uses a "never before used bridge structure" [3] It is in keeping with Balmond's perusal of a "non-linear world,[4] and his principle that "structure as conceptual rigour is architecture." His dynamic and organizational approach to structure is informed by the sciences of [complexity](/source/Complexity), [non-linear organization](/source/Non-linear_organization) and [emergence](/source/Emergence).

The design obviates the use of conventional longitudinal supporting beams.[3] According to [*Esquire* magazine](/source/Esquire_(magazine)):"The span is a poetic solution to a pedestrian problem."[5] Balmond founded and runs the University of Pennsylvania's Non-Linear Systems Organization, a research group he set up to explore ways in which [architecture](/source/Architecture) can demonstrate, test and apply insights from [mathematics](/source/Mathematics) and [sciences](/source/Science).[6] He currently holds the Paul Philippe Cret chair as Professor of Architecture at [PennDesign](/source/PennDesign).[7] Cecil Balmond realized the design through [Arup](/source/Arup_Group_Limited)'s AGU, an experimental research and design unit he founded in 2000.[8] Balmond joined Arup in 1968 and is Deputy Chairman.[9]

## References

1. [Commuting underway on Weave Bridge | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future](http://planphilly.com/node/6822) PlanPhilly (2009-01-26). Retrieved on 2010-09-09.

1. [Weave Bridge - Engineering](http://www.architectmagazine.com/engineering/weave-bridge.aspx). Architect Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-09-09.

1. ['Weave': Cecil Balmond's bridge in two pieces](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/cecil-balmond-weave-bridge). Wired.co.uk. Retrieved on 2010-09-09.

1. [Magazine](https://archive.today/20120903230809/http://www.mark-magazine.com/magazine/26). Mark Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-09-09.

1. Mirojnick, Ellen. (2007-09-18) [No. 48: The Weave Bridge, an Impossible Structure](http://www.esquire.com/features/esquire-100/weavebridge1007). Esquire. Retrieved on 2010-09-09.

1. [Cecil Balmond – NSO](http://nonlinearsystems.org/?cat=23). Nonlinearsystems.org. Retrieved on 2010-09-09.

1. ["Penn Design"](http://www.design.upenn.edu/people/balmond_cecil)

1. ["THE ARCHITECTS NEWS PAPER"](http://www.archpaper.com/e-board_rev.asp?News_ID=3800)

1. ["Jannuzzi Smith"](http://www.jannuzzismith.com/page8_1.html)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Weave Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weave_Bridge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weave_Bridge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.