Donald MacDonald Bridge Architects is working with Biggs Cordosa and Sonoma County to provide bridge aesthetic consultation on the Monte Rio Bridge replacement project. Our team has leveraged the public process to guide the selection of the alignment and the bridge type, a tied arch. As part of the process, a series of architectural concepts were developed with community input. The concepts focused on the selected key ecological and cultural aspects illustrated below.
The first architectural concept draws upon the ecological significance of the Russian River Valley and its ancient redwood forests as a defining character in Monte Rio story. This concept traces the story of the redwood as a revered and protected icon for the indigenous peoples of this area, their deforestation during western settlement, through to today where viewpoints have shifted from commodification to preservation and tourism.
Our team built on the spirit of this reverence. The crisscrossing of branches high in the crown of the redwood is reflected in the diagonal concrete scoring on the bridge deck, diagonally-oriented gabion basket mesh, and the diagonal guardrail supports. The tree’s particular geometry inspired details that reinforce the diagonal network pattern of the cable hangers and arch cross bracing, further echoed in the pointed shape of the overlook.
The railroad has been a fundamental part of the history of Monte Rio. The railroad, both as a narrow track logging rail and a passenger / freight rail, created the economy of the region. To capture and celebrate this pivotal piece of the Town’s history, the second architectural concept is inspired by the rail and the tie. In the rhythm of the guardrail system, vertical pickets echo ties and horizontal railings emulate the steel rail. Fluid lines in the bridge deck with perpendicular score joints also play upon the forms of the railroad. These fluid paths define the serpentine edge of the overlook. An iron oxide red is utilized for the arch to capture the tones of rust in the historic rail.
The third architectural concept draws upon the necessity of the span; the Russian River. In particular the wave ripple patterns, whether from a drop into a pool or in the form of a current, are expressed in this scenario’s details and features. The larger bridge arch is interpreted as an expression of this ripple pattern. The guardrail system infill expresses this pattern through varied warping of pickets. Concrete form-liners and thermoplastic deck treatments play upon these ripple patterns. Simple circular shaped overlooks repeat this consistent geometry through the project. The arch is painted a blue to harmonize with the clear blue-reflective summer waters of the river.
1516 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA
94104, USA
Donald MacDonald Architects LLC