Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed a new project, named Striatus, the first of its kind 3D concrete printed arched bridge, following the principles of circular design. 

Striatus is a special developed with the Block Research Group (BRG) at ETH Zurich and Zaha Hadid Architects Computation and Design Group (ZHACODE), in collaboration with incremental3D, made possible by Holcim.

The design establishes a new language for concrete material, Striatus is described as a circular design, combining traditional masonry with advanced technologies.

Striatus has been built for the “Time Space Existence” exhibition, hosted by the European Cultural Centre (ECC) during the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021 which opened to the public on May 22 in Venice. Time Space Existence can be seen at the Giardini della Marinaressa, Venice. 

The bridge provides its strength through geometry since the Striatus bridge stands solely through compression without reinforcement. 

"Using advanced technologies, from computational design and engineering to robotic manufacturing, Striatus revives traditional master builders’ techniques," said ZHA.

As ZHA explains, "Striatus was designed to place material only where needed, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. With no reinforcement and using dry assembly without binders, it can be repurposed repeatedly."

The bridge creates new language for concrete. Striatus opens up a world of possibilities with concrete in a design that is structurally informed, fabrication-aware and ecologically responsible. Material is precisely placed to build more with less.

Zaha Hadid Architects also designed High-performing Urban Ecologies installation for the Italian pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021.

All images & video courtesy of ZHA.

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