Bridge Over Foša / Prostorne Taktike

Architects: Prostorne taktike
Area: 237 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Darko Škrobonja, Dino Čaljkušić, Mihael Bažoka
Manufacturers: FAR – Fabbrica Artigianale Reti, Innometal
Category: Bridges, Pedestrian Bridge
Lead Team: Antonia Cvitan Vuletić, Luka Cvitan,
Design Team: Borna Penjak, Nemanja Šekularac
Structural Engineer Bridge: Ivo Orlandini – Orlandini projekt d.o.o.
Geodesy: Ante Tandara – KOTANGENS d.o.o.
Electrical: Krešimir Ćurčić – Elektro Ćurčić d.o.o.
Structural Engineers Foundations: Davorin Lovrenčić, Filip Šantatić – Ing-jet d.o.o.
Lighting: Zoran Kovačić – LIGHTCOM
Naval Architecture Consultant: Mate Vrdoljak
Other Lighting Companies: ELOS d.o.o., RANDOM d.o.o.
City: Trogir
Country: Croatia

Bridge Over Foša in Zadar, Croatia, designed by Prostorne Taktike, redefines a historic urban threshold within the city’s UNESCO-listed fabric. Built on the site of a former wooden crossing, the 237-square-metre pedestrian bridge establishes a contemporary link between the Old Town and the mainland while maintaining sensitivity to the maritime setting of Foša Harbor. The structure was fabricated in a local shipyard using techniques derived from shipbuilding, then transported by barge and installed in a single day. Formed as an asymmetrical hyperbolic paraboloid, the steel shell conceals a caisson system that mirrors the double-bottom hulls of ships, directly referencing the city’s naval heritage. A specialized metal-powder coating develops a Corten-like patina over time, ensuring durability and visual harmony with the historic waterfront. Integrated seating zones, perforated side panels, and differentiated walking surfaces transform the bridge from a mere crossing into a public space for gathering, rest, and observation.

In the contact zone of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a new steel pedestrian bridge was constructed on the site of a former wooden bridge. Conceived as more than a functional link across the sea channel, the design aimed to create a social and urban destination. The bridge does not assert itself forcefully within its historical surroundings, but maintains a distinct identity that subtly references the city’s shipbuilding heritage and maritime tradition.

Tlocrt sa hatchom 35 — Bridge over Foša / Prostorne taktike 38

The form is generated by a steel shell with variable cross-sections, shaped asymmetrically as a hyperbolic paraboloid. Visually slender and light, the bridge enriches the landscape rather than dominating it, adding a contemporary element to the heritage context. Internally, the shell reveals a caisson system built from flat steel—a method traditionally used in shipbuilding. The design reflects the structural logic of a classic double-bottom ship hull, directly aligning with Trogir’s industrial past and the community’s deep-rooted connection to maritime craft.

Externally, the bridge is coated with a three-component metal powder system that, under environmental exposure, develops a rust-toned patina similar to Corten steel. This treatment offers weathering aesthetics while maintaining material durability. The bridge was manufactured as a single element in a nearby shipyard, utilizing local expertise. It was transported by barge and installed in a single day onto pre-prepared abutments.

The pedestrian stair follows the bridge’s gentle ascent, with tread design ensuring a gradual slope and comfortable transition. In this zone, a rubber and fine-stone surface creates a firm walking base that avoids structural flexing. In the non-stair areas, a softer rubber material is used to improve walking comfort.

Informal seating zones are integrated on the steeper northern sections of the bridge, encouraging rest and social interaction. Overlooking Fortin Park, a perforated section of the structure includes a mesh layer that defines a space for sitting, reclining, and informal play. This element lightens the bridge visually and creates a perceptual link between the upper and lower areas, reinforcing spatial connectivity and user awareness.