Bridge Pavilion in the Zaragoza Expo 2008 by Zaha Hadid

The Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion is one of few constructions in the world to merge two building typologies, combining engineering infrastructure with architectural elements. This project is built diagonally over the River Ebro and it connects the Delicias intermodals Station to the Expo site, passing over a small isle. It surface area is approximately 6,500 metres and with a length of 280 metres, with its 68.5 metre foundations the deepest ever built in Spain.

It structure is composed by intersecting 'pods' allowing to distribute its weight across the four diagrid trusses, this leads to a reduction in the size of load-bearing members needed to span its 155m and 125m sections, which creates a cross section of diamond shape. Another important characteristic is its cladding which is inspired shark scales. This is layout in an optical pattern of superimposed panels having apertures that both provide views of the Expo and of the river.

The climate was too considered in the design since these openings are place so that the local Cierzo wind will create a microclimate cooling visitors in the summer heat. The configuration of the space was one of the driving forces of the project. Spatial concern is one of the main aspects driving the project, which provides each zone within the building has its own spatial identity, in total there is 2,700 square metres of exposition space.