slender steel bridge with integrated net seating expands over foša port in croatia

steel Bridge over Foša Links Heritage and Public Space

Located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trogir, Croatia, the Bridge over Foša is a contemporary pedestrian structure that connects the city’s historic core with Fortin Park across the sea channel. Designed by Prostorne Taktike, the bridge serves both infrastructural and social functions while responding to the site’s maritime and urban context.

The bridge’s form follows an asymmetric hyperbolic paraboloid geometry, resulting in a slender steel shell structure with variable cross-sections. This shape minimizes visual obstruction, preserving views of the city’s heritage landmarks. Its highest point acts as an unobtrusive threshold, maintaining the visual integrity of the old town.

all images by Darko Škrobonja

Prostorne taktike draws from Trogir’s shipbuilding heritage

For the bridge’s structure, the design team at Prostorne taktike draws from Trogir’s shipbuilding heritage. The internal caisson system, made from flat steel plates, echoes the double-bottom construction method commonly used in shipbuilding. Prefabricated as a single unit in a nearby shipyard, the entire bridge was transported by barge and installed onto pre-prepared abutments within one day. This off-site fabrication approach reduced disruption in the dense urban area while showcasing local industrial expertise.

Material selection and finishes were guided by considerations of durability and contextual relevance. The exterior is coated with a three-component system containing metal powder, allowing the surface to gradually develop a rust-like patina similar to Corten steel. This finish offers both aesthetic consistency and long-term protection.

the Bridge over Foša connects Trogir’s historic core with Fortin Park

Bridge over Foša integrates Seating, Movement, and Views

The pedestrian experience was carefully considered in the design. A staircase follows the bridge’s gentlest gradient, with tread materials selected to ensure safety and comfort. A combination of rubber and fine stone aggregate provides a stable walking surface in the stair zones, while softer rubber is used elsewhere for added comfort. On the north side, informal seating zones are integrated into the steeper sections, encouraging use beyond circulation. Facing Fortin Park, the bridge incorporates perforated steel panels fitted with a net. This intervention creates spaces for sitting and gathering, while visually connecting the upper and lower areas of the site. The perforation reduces visual weight and enhances the spatial relationship between the bridge and its surroundings.

The design and execution of the Bridge over Foša prioritize structural efficiency, environmental responsibility, and urban sensitivity. The use of locally sourced and recycled materials, combined with efficient fabrication and installation methods, helps reduce the project’s ecological impact. As a result, the bridge integrates contemporary engineering with historical awareness, contributing a new layer to Trogir’s evolving urban landscape.

the structure follows an asymmetric hyperbolic paraboloid geometry

the material choice balances durability and contextual sensitivity

rubber and stone aggregate provide stable, slip-resistant walking surfaces

the exterior finish includes a metal powder coating that develops a rust-like patina over time

a pedestrian staircase follows the gentlest slope of the bridge’s curved form

the bridge incorporates perforated steel panels fitted with a net

the design incorporates recycled and locally sourced materials

steeper sections serve as stairs and informal seating zones for rest and gathering

the perforation reduces visual weight and improves spatial connection across levels

the bridge contributes to Trogir’s evolving urban landscape

Bridge over Foša creates places for sitting and interaction near Fortin Park

project info:

name: Bridge over Foša
architect: Prostorne taktike | @prostorne_taktike

design team: Luka Cvitan, M.Arch., Antonia Cvitan Vuletić, M.Arch.

structural engineer: Orlandini Projekt d.o.o.

location: Trogir, Croatia

photographer: Darko Škrobonja

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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