The American Institute of Steel Construction has honored Moscone Center Expansion‘s pedestrian bridges with a 2021 National IDEAS2 Award, the steel industry’s most honorable recognition. A panel of design and construction industry professionals identified this year’s award winners across several categories. The two Pedestrian Bridges won under the Sculptures, Art Installations, and Non-Building Structures Category.
Moscone Center Expansion is part of a 25-year master plan and is one of San Francisco’s key economic drivers. The new expansion vastly improves the Center and its campus, while allowing it to meet the evolving needs of a modern city. The master plan includes two new pedestrian bridges that enhance connectivity and attract both neighborhood residents and visitors with a pedestrian-friendly design that connects Yerba Buena’s new and existing open spaces, parks, and cultural facilities. Symbols of the city of San Francisco’s Vision Zero pedestrian safety initiative, the two elevated bridges link the newly constructed and renovated Moscone facilities, and provide safe crossings across Howard Street.
Pedestrians around the Moscone Center now enjoy the mid-block lights above Howard Street. These lights change colors 30 times a second while conforming to the shape of the Moscone East Bridge span. The permanent LED light show is called “Point Cloud” installed by artist Leo Villarreal, who in 2013 turned the Bay Bridge into a nightly display of shifting white lights. The East Bridge also has a daytime presence, with its enclosed steel and metal panel finishes, glass on both sides, adding a unique experience for conventioneers while creating a reflective sky-bridge above Howard Street. The West Bridge on the other hand – adds an extension to the public spaces surrounding the center. The open air-walkway with its steel and metal panel finishes has a sculptural presence in the area.
AISC’s IDEAS2 Award winners were highlighted during the kick-off of the NASCC – The Virtual Steel Conference on April 12, 2021.