In order to the bridge across the Erasmus Canal in Amsterdam, DP6 Architectuurstudio opted for a striking, sculptural design, while avoiding the risk of style over substance. The form draws on a number of functional and constructive principles. With its welded, flat steel plates the bridge has a specific shape that evokes, unsurprisingly, the Japanese art of paper folding, or origami. Thanks to the pale grey coating the sky and the reflecting water create ever-changing colour nuances.

The design, reminiscent of the origami paper folding art, lends a strong identity to a bridge that would otherwise have remained fairly anonymous. By allowing the construction to determine the shape, the designers have managed to avoid playing to the gallery.