HomeAbout UsBridgesBuildingsAwards and HonorsIn the NewsJobsContact Us
Bridge Projects Donald MacDonald FAIA Bridge Architects
  Cooper River Bridge- Charleston, South Carolina:

Page 1 | Page 2Plan of Bridge

 View of the Cooper River Bridge Design The main goal of the architectural design is to create a timeless landmark that will praise and pay homage to the Historic City of Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

 Physical Model for the Tower of the Cooper River Bridge Design From both the drivers' and pedestrians' perspectives, the new bridge will evoke a sail motif over the river to compliment the nearby harbor and Waterfront Park. The slender concrete proportions of the single tower scheme reflect the elegance of the City of Charleston. Like the mast of a ship, these proportions were derived through tapering the tower from the base to the top consistently. In addition, the towers are sculpted to appear as refined monuments, seemingly cut from a single block of stone.

Accentuating these towers are light planes, positioned at the apex to reinforce the tower's diamond shape. These lights will reinforce the bridge axis, as well as enhancing the view of the cables at night. A gem, providing cadence to the tower top, will appear in the day as a shining glass scrim. At night the gem can be lit to represent celebratory events in the region. This lighting feature will become an icon for the bridge and will complete the landmark design as it is viewed from the city.
View of the Cooper River Bridge Tower Lights



  Review Other Bridge Projects:

La Loma/Foothill Bridge
Strandherd Bridge
SFO Bay Bridge East Span
SFO Bay Bridge West Span
Golden Gate Bridge
Cooper River Bridge
Maxwell Bridge, Napa
I-80 Overcrossing, Berkeley
Alfred Zampa Memorial (Carquinez)
Whirlpool Bridge, Turtle Bay
3rd Street Bridge, Napa
Mid-Hudson Bridge, NY
Balboa Island Bridge
Diestelhorst Replacement Bridge
Ninth Street Bridge, Modesto
Cypress Bridge, Redding
SFO International Airport



Special Feature:

Cooper River Bridge
(Apple QuickTime)
3.05 MB