Scandinavian Studies

In an increasingly nationalistic and protectionist global trade market, bridge engineering and architecture remains steadfastly international, both in the exchange of services and skills, and in the design language common in the world’s new bridges. However, despite superficial commonalities, geographic regions demonstrate differing appetites in terms of visual expression. This presentation examines three different bridge designs for Scandinavia. While other regions continue to favour eye-catching designs for their crossings, often using infrastructure to make an overt statement to the world about fiscal prosperity or cultural sophistication, the visual aspirations of the Scandinavian market remain restrained, even muted by contrast. In a mature culture where design pervades the most basic everyday object, simple, elegantly designed bridges are typically favoured over gimmicky, attention-grabbing statements.