La Ballena Pedestrian Bridge

In 2001, the Municipality of Las Palmas invited us to explore a “Living Bridge” across Barranco La Ballena. The proposal responds to a densely built area where transport corridors have divided neighbourhoods and placed pressure on public space. Its aim is to improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists while creating a place for local people to visit and enjoy.

The proposed bridge brings infrastructure, landscape and recreation together. Spanning 93 metres, its interweaving arches form a crossing that shifts between open and partly enclosed spaces, offering changing views of the barranco. The design considers how the bridge would be experienced from the highway, from surrounding buildings and at close range.

A landscaped park beneath the bridge would provide recreational space and renew the barranco’s role as a distinctive part of the Canary Islands’ topography. Facilities are proposed primarily at the two landings, allowing the crossing itself to remain lightweight and straightforward to maintain. The west bank could accommodate a modest catering outlet, while the east bank offers space for a broader range of community and recreational uses.

Together, the bridge and landscape are intended to connect neighbourhoods and give the area a stronger local identity.