Going with the Flow at West Glebe Bridge

West Glebe Bridge, spans Four Mile Run, joining Arlington and Alexandria, VA. This rehabilitation project gave us the opportunity to pattern the bridge railings, including both the concrete parapets and the metal grills above.

The West Glebe Bridge connects two cities, Arlington County, VA, and Alexandria, VA, two cities with diverse populations, promoting social engagement and access to recreational open-space and habitat.

Taking inspiration from the river, we developed a flowing patterning that also references local plants and classical ornamentation. This contextual approach allowed us to create a site-specific project directly rooted in a sense of place.

The bridge’s concrete parapets hold bands of elegant pattern relief on their interiors and exteriors. This enhances the experience for those using the bridge from all viewing angles.

The pedestrian experience inside the bridge is enlivened by the grills, which cast intricate shadow patterns on the bridge deck surface.

The railing grills extend the patterning from the parapets upward with swooping gestures in cut metal. These forms swell in height to bookend the span of the bridge, while affording views out to the river from the center, where they are lower.

The curving forms of the metal grills and their expressive hole patterns offer views out to the river below. The cut metal patterning frames discrete vignettes of special moments for those crossing the bridge.

The quality of light across the textured surfaces of the concrete and the shadows created by the grills throughout the day activate the bridge into an ever-changing experience.

This bridge will be joined by Ridge Road Bridge, one mile downstream, with aesthetic enhancements also designed by Vicki Scuri SiteWorks.

Sponsor: Arlington County

Project Team:

Artists: Vicki Scuri SiteWorks and Alexandr Polzin

Engineer: Corman Kokosing, RDA (Rinker Design Associates)