Kusugibashi: A Groundbreaking in Bridge Design

Known for his brilliance in utilizing wood as the building materials, Kengo Kuma and Associates continue to create a phenomenal architectural marvel using wood which is a wooden bridge in Osogoe, Shuto Town, Iwakuni City. Combining carpentry skills with modern technology, this bridge not only becomes groundbreaking in civil engineering but also becomes a new symbol for the community in this area.

Kusugibashi by Kengo Kuma and Associates, Photo by Katsumasa Tanaka 

It was built as a part of the renovation project of a bridge that was destroyed by the Western Japan Flood in July 2018, this bridge is built on a reinforced concrete frame, enhanced by 105-square cypress balustrades. This reinforced concrete frame acts as a durable supporting structure to reinforce the bridge.  

Built on a reinforced concrete frame, enhanced by 105-square cypress balustrades, Photo by Katsumasa Tanaka 

The balustrades are arranged in a curved shape, flawlessly replicating the contour of the surrounding mountain range and standing elegantly on both sides of the road. With its light brown color, these cypress woods add a natural touch amidst the artificial structure and enlighten the surroundings, seamlessly blending with the lush trees around. 

Arranged in a curved shape, flawlessly replicating the contour of the surrounding mountain range, Photo by Katsumasa Tanaka 

Its wooden structure add a natural touch amidst the artificial structure and enlighten the surroundings, Photo by Katsumasa Tanaka 

The wooden structure is a perfect blend of Japanese carpentry skills and modern computational design, resulting in an exquisitely sophisticated bridge design. The combination of Japanese carpentry skills and wooden material gives the bridge an alluring nostalgic look and a human-scale form that adds to its charm. With its creative design, Kusugibashi becomes a testament to how well wood can be advantaged in architecture and engineering.

Kusugibashi by Kengo Kuma and Associates, Photo by Katsumasa Tanaka 

Kusugibashi by Kengo Kuma and Associates, Photo by Katsumasa Tanaka 

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