Leipzig Glass Bridges

As part of the design commission for the Glass Hall, Ian Ritchie Architects also designed the glass bridges which connect the main arrival glass hall to the trade exhibition and conference halls and an additional larger glass bridge to the east entrance pavilion.

The bridges are independent steel structures enclosed with curved toughened glass sheets; a large percentage of them open in order to provide natural ventilation. They are opened by means of electric motor driven torque tubes which are connected to the glass sheets by profile cut stainless steel arms. Between overlapping sheets are specially designed neoprene extrusions which provide a safety as well as a weatherproof seal.

Lighting is integrated into the handrails. The handrails and timber bridge decks of six bridges continue across the space of the Glass Hall connecting with the mezzanine floors and lifts.

Official opening date April 1996.