Robert R. Douglass Bridge

Infrastructure

Manhattan, NY

2020

Bridge Architecture Connecting Lower Manhattan to the Waterfront with an Elegant Lenticular Design

The Robert R. Douglass Bridge shows how design can soften a city's edges. Its organic form, distinguished by a trellis-like truss, contrasts with the stark urban landscape. Despite site constraints and regulations, the bridge creates a serene path to Battery Park, turning what could have been simple infrastructure into an elevated experience with views of the surrounding neighborhood.

Pedestrian bridge in Lower Manhattan crossing over a busy city street with skyscrapers in view. — The Robert R. Douglass Bridge offers a sleek pedestrian link between Battery Park City and Lower Manhattan.

Children running across a covered pedestrian bridge with architectural truss details — The bridge's lenticular design encourages pedestrian flow while offering views of the surrounding area.

The 230-foot bridge links the Financial District to Battery Park City's waterfront and green spaces. Its lenticular asymmetrical truss, made of American Steel, answers space constraints and creates a striking architectural feature.

The curved glass roof, made from straight glass panels, allows for local fabrication, quick assembly, and the chance to reduce shipping and construction time.

The glass provides an airy, open experience for pedestrians, while the frit pattern reduces solar heat and dirt buildup, ensuring a clean and comfortable environment year-round.

Person walking across a pedestrian bridge with open metal trusses and natural lighting. — The bridge's truss design blends openness with structural elegance, maximizing daylight access.

We delivered a design that not only balances aesthetics and functionality but also meets regulatory requirements by working closely with structural engineers and local agencies. The coordination with Weidlinger Associates (now Thornton Tomasetti) and the NYC Department of Transportation ensured that the structure met stringent standards, served the community, and that construction of the bridge created minimal disruption to the highway, tunnel, and surrounding neighborhood.

Elevated pedestrian bridge illuminated at dusk against the backdrop of city skyscrapers. — The bridge glows at twilight, connecting Battery Park City with the vibrant Financial District.

The Robert R. Douglass Bridge significantly strengthens pedestrian connections between the Financial District and Battery Park City, providing a safer, more efficient crossing over West Street while adding an iconic architectural element to Lower Manhattan. Designed for long-term resilience and minimal maintenance, the bridge improves access to the waterfront and public spaces, demonstrating its significance and positive impact on the community.