Bridging the Distance Indoors
Airy interior bridges and walkways take getting around the house to a new level
A bridge is normally considered as something that traverses a river, a road, or some other boundary. In the realm of residential architecture it might carry over a pond, ravine, or some other part of the landscape in order to reach the house. But it can also be something inside. This ideabook presents some bridges that traverse spaces indoors, linking different parts of a house in striking ways.
Browse modern stairways
Browse modern stairways
This bridge with handrails that appear to float in mid-air straddles a tall living space and connects the first and second floors. You ascend the stair in the foreground, cross the bridge, and ascend again in the opposite direction from whence you came.
At bridge level, it's apparent the glass walkway adds some excitement — or vertigo — to the act of moving up or down a level.
Here is another glass-floor bridge, though the more robust guardrails give a stronger sense of safety while crossing it. Unique here is how the roof pops up to allow for passage across the space. The architects take advantage of this with windows on both sides and a skylight bringing plenty of light into the space.
Another view of the bridge shows how it is placed above casework separating the living and dining areas. In this regard the glass floor helps to bring light to these spaces.
Equally dynamic is this second-floor box linked by a stair and a bridge.
Here is another bridge capped by a skylight. Note how the bridge surface is a metal grating that lets light filter to the space below.
In this complex space, two bridges are visible: the one in the middle photo below the skylight serves the top floor and is placed directly above another stair. Both use metal grating to bring light throughout the space. Note how each bridge has cable guardrail on one side and a solid one on the other, the latter with integral lights that highlight the walking surface.
This last batch of examples are technically mezzanines, rather than bridges, but in being open on one side and acting as corridors they are very bridge-like. And elements like the glass floor which is different than the adjacent floor, make this walkway next to a wall of books special.
This walkway overlooks not only the large living area but also an outdoor space (at left) at a level above the patio seen through the opposite glass wall.
This small walkway leads from the top of the stair to a kitchen in the distance. The windows at left, combined with the skylight above the stair, give the sense of a bridge traversing open space.
It continues as a bridge outside! What better place to end this ideabook?
More: Bridges Home — A Sense of Entry
Floating Stairs: Walking on Air
Artful Stairs: Continuity in Steel
Level Changes Define Interior Spaces
More inspiring architectural details
More: Bridges Home — A Sense of Entry
Floating Stairs: Walking on Air
Artful Stairs: Continuity in Steel
Level Changes Define Interior Spaces
More inspiring architectural details