Arc Elements | Architectural Features | The Sculpture

The design team embraced this early 20th century inspired “deco” form as a silhouette – a singular solid cement deck with box beam construction and a sub-deck arching span mirroring the arches of the 110 freeway overhead. Working within these parameters created the design of the sidewalk and meridian that appears to be created of river rock.

Arch Elements

Elements of an arch form are detectable in this project’s immediate context- as evident in the surrounding hills, the neighboring bridges (further down the river) and the overlying 101 Freeway. This form is reintroduced into the new 19th Avenue Replacement Bridge, thereby contributing to the tradition of arches along this river route. By also incorporating this theme in the new structure’s handrails and barriers, a traditional bridge form will be maintained. Many of the new bridge’s features are borrowed from the nearby Buena Vista Bridge. Belvederes and seating areas look out over the Los Angeles River, access roadway and Arroyo Seco- providing viewing opportunities of this small river confluence. In the future, when the area becomes flooded and the Los Angeles River transforms into a lake, these vantage points will offer optimum views of the area and its aquatic activities- boating, fishing, etc. These elements further enhance the roadway bridge’s edge, thereby humanizing a rather bland roadway area. The materials and patterns on the sidewalks, benches and handrails will also reinforce the bridge 1930’-style aesthetic.

Decorative and safety lighting will provide neighboring residents with a safe, attractive thoroughfare. The decorative lighting source will be hidden. The direction of the concealed lighting beams will illuminate the bridge by night. The handrails will also possess concealed light sources for the lit walkways. The overhead 19th century-styled lighting will cover the sidewalk and the roadway. Floodlights (under the bridge structure) will further enhance the confluence of the Arroyo Seco and Los Angeles River, while discouraging any potential homeless encampments/activities.

Architectural features

The architect and the artist have determined that the most effective intervention of the public art element would be tospecifically focus on the area of the belvedere. The artist has designed an interactive and functional sculpture quite singular and expressive in its own right. The main feature is a translucent cast glass- like material in a form inspired by the great arched bridges of the 1930’s. However, the form is not so literal in its reference, as it is sculpturally torqued to become nearly as evocative as a form of water movement as much as it is a form of architecture. It is lit from within. The piece is perched upon groupings of slender metal columns, one component bowed like a great plant stem, the other a formal vertical arrangement reminiscent of neo classic Doric columns. The structural attachments to the suspended sculpture are artfully detailed and elegantly curved. The materials, elements, and detailing recall the slender, graceful elegance of art deco lamps, with their exotic blown and cast glass techniques and their mix of organic and classical architectural design. The sculpture also generates a sense of place and architectural space, in that it also functions as a belvedere canopy.

The Sculpture

Accompanying the sculpture, the artist has designed a simple and elegant bridge bench. The bench again echoes the torqued deco arch, and is cast in a smooth light iridescent cement, to have the look and feel of a fine stone. It follows the contour of the belvedere’s railings, and allows the railings to become a back rest. The graceful torque and twist of these benches allows for seating, but discourages lying and sleeping. One or two per belvedere should be satisfactory. Further enhancements to the belvedere, such as glass decking will transform this feature to become an attractive destination.