Tartubron (The Tartu Bridge)

By White Arkitekter and Johan Kauppi for Vallastaden

The red bridge over Smedstadsbäcken has become a symbol of Vallastaden. A red exclamation mark located in the middle of the district.

"The future way of building, housing and living - Vallastaden 2017 - an urban living expo held in September 2017 in Linköping, Sweden. As a city district, Vallastaden is unique in itself. Nearly 1000 residences have been built by 40 different developers – all in record time. The result is a vibrant urban district centered around its residents. With its 70 exhibitions and 200 program items, Vallastaden 2017 is set to be the biggest urban living expo in the history of Sweden. The program is centered around issues of diversity, sustainability and innovations." - Vallastaden Expo.

The expo showed four bridges, all named after university cities with a Swedish historical connection. One of them is Tartubron, a collaboration between White Arkitekter and Johan Kauppi. The red semi transparent bridge is situated in the greater landscape project and exhibition Broparken by White Arkitekter. A park that runs on both sides of the stream Smedstadsbäcken throughout Vallastaden. "Broparken is a technical stormwater system, disguised as an attractive urban social space, transforming a characterless stretch of land into a much-loved public park." - White Arkitekter.

Tartubron as presented in the exhibition and exhibition guides : "The red bridge over Smedstadsbäcken has become a symbol of Vallastaden. The bridge is designed to provide an experience of a living room on the water; a feeling of being invited. With red wood panels and expanded metal lining, Tartu Bridge resembles a red exclamation mark located in the middle of the district."