Beta Realities

Sachsenbrücke Grasbrook

What if a bridge becomes a sustainable social hub?

The Sachsenbrücke is conceived as a precise and elegant urban building block — a defining element in the development of the Grasbrook.

The Sachsenbrücke is a bold reimagining of urban infrastructure—a sustainable social hub at the heart of Grasbrook. It seamlessly connects transport networks and public spaces, offering flood-resilient pathways and inviting places to linger. With its elegant design, innovative materials, and thoughtful integration of landscape and architecture, the bridge transforms everyday transit into a vibrant, inclusive experience. Here, movement meets community, and engineering meets inspiration.

Project Region

Europe

Project Period

2025

Location

Hamburg, Germany

Team

Paul Clemens Bart, Marvin Bratke, Andrei Dan Musetescu, Alisa von Postel, Boyan Hrsitov

Status

Concept Design

Programme

Mobility, Infrastructure

Client

City of Hamburg

Collaborators

Degree of Freedom, Büro Ehring

Size

Visualisation

Yoshi Render

A New Urban Landmark.

The Sachsenbrücke redefines Hamburg’s skyline with its slender, elegant form. More than a crossing, it’s a resilient, flood-safe connector—seamlessly integrating transport, public life, and landscape. Its architectural clarity, warm pigmentation, and sustainable design make it a future-proof symbol for Grasbrook’s transformation.

Movement and Connection.

Three sub-bridges—central road, timber pedestrian, and cycle paths—create a harmonious urban promenade. The design ensures visual openness, smooth transitions, and a sensitive fit with the city’s rhythm. Wide pedestrian zones, continuous sightlines, and thoughtful separation of traffic types make the bridge a seamless, inviting link for all users.

Bridging City and Landscape.

The Sachsenbrücke transforms infrastructure into public space. Tiered “Elbe balconies,” continuous benches, and panoramic views invite lingering. Robust, slip-resistant surfaces and minimal, integrated lighting blend with Hamburg’s identity, making the bridge a vibrant, inclusive destination for all.

Spaces for People.

Public seating stairs, viewpoints, bicycle charging, greenery, and parking enrich the bridge’s experience. Barrier-free paths and micro-topographies create niches for rest and interaction. Every detail fosters social sustainability, turning transit into a place to stay and connect.

Efficiency in Assembly.

Prefabricated sub-bridges enable rapid, high-quality installation. The three-part design allows parallel construction, minimizing on-site effort. Closed hollow-box systems, tapered cross-sections, and inclined webs for drainage ensure structural integrity and cost efficiency, delivering a durable, low-maintenance bridge for the future.

Structural Innovation.

Concrete–steel and timber–concrete composites leverage material strengths for slender, efficient forms. Fixed bearings, hidden tension rods, and a push-pull system transfer loads into anchored foundations. Weather-protected timber and durable surfaces ensure longevity, balancing technical precision with architectural elegance for Hamburg’s evolving cityscape.