Project

Bridge of Coexistence

Country

Korea

Moved by the loss of bat habitats, YoonJae Chung envisions a shared space where humans and bats can re-nest and coexist. Her research shows that both species are sensitive to sudden light, leading to a bridge design that reduces unnecessary illumination while maintaining a sense of safety for humans through natural and gentle visibility.

The proposed bridge takes on an arched form inspired by the silhouette of a bat and uses concrete textures that allow bats to grip naturally. A semi-enclosed structure reduces light exposure, while an ivy curtain softens the experience for human users while maintaining openness. Vegetation along the walkway helps manage insects without disturbing bat activity, and motion-sensitive lighting provides minimal illumination only when needed. In this way, the design proposes an infrastructure where both species can share the same environment while respecting each other’s rhythms.

Part of the collective exhibition Radical Empathy – In Your Shoes from Studio Turn Around Design Academy Eindhoven.