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Project Profile: Beehive Bridge

November 5th, 2019


Responses provided by Marissa Mead and Bojana Djukanovic

Svigals + Partners, an architecture, art and advisory firm describes the implementation of AEC technology on its "Beehive Bridge" project in New Britain, CT.

What are the vital statistics of the project? (This includes project type, size, stage of design or construction, project team, etc.)

Project type: Bridge Renovation and Public Art Installation 
Location: New Britain, CT 
Stage: Project is in final inspections 
Client: City of New Britain 
Project team

  • Fuss & O’Neill – Engineering and Traffic 
  • Svigals + Partners – Architectural Design and Artwork 
  • Richter & Cegan – Landscape Architecture 
  • Atelier Ten – Lighting Design 
  • Laviero Contractors - General Contractor  
  • SignPro Inc – Fabricator 

The “Beehive Bridge” is a 265-foot-long highway overpass in the city of New Britain, Connecticut, connecting the two parts of the city that are divided by a highway. Svigals + Partner created a design scheme for a pedestrian-friendly streetscape with an abstract take on the “beehive” theme that has long been associated with New Britain—it features colorful translucent panels in an abstract honeycomb pattern that separate the overpass visually from the highway below (Figure 1). In shades of gold and yellow, the panels produce a variety of patterns and colors depending on the time of day and position of the sun. Building on the theme, the design then incorporates contemporary artwork integrated directly into the structure: four large-format stainless-steel honeybee sculptures, and an outsized beehive in the center of the bridge. Energy-efficient LED lighting illuminates the bridge, ensuring safety for pedestrians and cyclists after dark.

To read the project profile from AECBytes, click here.

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