It’s always interesting when architects design bridges. The building type is most associated with engineers—how architects go about designing this critical infrastructure offers a unique peek into their approach. 16 Tech Bridge, a 342-feet structure spanning Fall Creek in Indianapolis, was designed by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU), alongside engineers from Schlaich Bergermann Partner (sbp), Moniteurs Communication Design, and Martha Schwartz Partners. The bridge, as the name suggests, connects the burgeoning 16 Tech Innovation District with historically disenfranchised neighborhoods, the design team said. It also links pedestrians and cyclists to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick, the Urban Wilderness Trail, and White River Trail. 16 Tech Bridge has ample space for pedestrians and cyclists. (Hadley Fruits) “More than ever in our fraying world, we need bridges—to connect us to each other, to nature, and to our better selves,” PAU founder and creative director Vishaan Chakrabarti said in a statement. “This bridge attempts all three: building connections across communities; forging an echo of Fall Creek’s trees through its unique form; and creating small places of solace for reflection and delight,” Chakrabarti added. Lanes for walking and biking and vehicular traffic are clearly demarcated. (Hadley Fruits) To Chakrabarti’s point, the design has a fan structure made of steel-plated cable-stay members, a subtle nod to the context’s greenery. Seating at 16 Tech Bridge sources wood harvested from adjacent trees. The bridge separates vehicular traffic from pedestrians and cyclists with a protective guardrail. Similarly, each roadway is further split by an undulating metal structure that gives the bridge its distinctive silhouette. This also demarcates traffic flow and creates more space for pedestrians. The structure is anchored to the banks of the creek below by large pilotis, which also exhibit a fan-like composition. Color-changing light displays respond to community and cultural events. Cyclists can enjoy direct connections to nature trails. (Hadley Fruits) The new bridge marks PAU’s second built project in Indiana—the first was in Columbus. In both cases, PAU designed a public utility, the latter is a semi-enclosed dome that shades an important downtown Columbus intersection. Likewise, 16 Tech Bridge offers more invaluable social and critical infrastructure just a few miles north.