New Britain, Connecticut, USA

Svigals + Partners collaborated with Fuss & O’Neill, Richter and Cegan, and Pirie Associates for the completion of the Beehive Bridge project that would become the new connection point of two long-divided neighborhoods, as it will encourage pedestrian use and it actually represents its community through its singular design.

The project was recently awarded the 2021 American Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

The two neighborhoods have been connected by a Main Street bridge, which passes over Route 72, but the conditions were poor for pedestrians with high traffic speeds, narrow sidewalks, wind, dust, noise, and lack of shelter.

With economic development as the main driver, the City embarked on an inspiring placemaking project to unite the city, both literally and symbolically, and link the bifurcated neighborhoods with Connecticut’s public transit service.

Harnessing architecture, art, and public engagement, the enormous “impossible bridge project,” as it came to be called, launched.

The process included multiple public input sessions and a steering committee of local artists and business owners tasked with defining project aspirations and reviewing concepts.

Coalescing these various aspirations into a final design was an early challenge.

For some, the city’s industrial past resonated. For others, the status of New Britain as a
growing center for small businesses and the arts was more important.

Ultimately, the team looked to the City’s motto: industria implet alveare et melle fruitur, which translates to “industry fills the hive and enjoys the honey”.

The beehive theme runs throughout the City, appearing on its seal and lending its
name to its baseball team, the New Britain Bees.

It was decided that this bee/beehive theme would be the inspiration for the design of this signature project.

The idea of drawing on the historic city motto and emblem in a bright and forward-looking way appealed to all.

Construction on the new bridge was completed in late 2019.

It has been noted for its stunning visual impact:
• Twin 250’ undulating steel and aluminum sculptural enclosures meet the sky in a sinuous curve inspired by the flight of the honey bee
• Diamond-shaped metal railings are infilled with translucent polycarbonate panels in golden
hues, reminiscent of a honeycomb
• At night, the new bridge enclosure glows with internal LED illumination
• Four strong-yet-whimsical 13’ bee sculptures bookend the bridge
• A 12’ hive sculpture in tribute to New Britain’s city seal anchors the bridge’s center.

Functionally, the bridge transforms the pedestrian experience creating an active business and
entertainment corridor. What was previously a five-lane thoroughfare has been reinvented with reduced lanes, expanded sidewalks, large planters, and bike lanes.

New pocket parks at the north end of the bridge provide an opportunity for respite along Main Street.

The bridge also offers an iconographic view for vehicular traffic on Route 72.

It is a destination of pride that is a complete street environment reinvigorating a city and bringing the people of New Britain and beyond together – a shining example of
how powerful public projects can be if developed inclusively.

Project: Beehive Bridge
Architects: Svigals + Partners LLP.
Design Engineers:Fuss & O’Neill
Client: City of New Britain
Contractor: Martin Laviero Contractors
Engagement & Conceptual Collaborators:Pirie Associates
Landscape Architects: Richter& Cegan
Photographers: Olson Photographic, LLC. and Land Sea Air Media, LLC.