Diamond Bridge

A Bridge Design Evolved from Fink Truss
From Truss Prototype to Bridges

To reduce the deformation condition of the bridge: 1. Increase height, 2. Decrease the number of bays

Team: Meng An, Gang Xiao, Tianchen Xu, Lilly Byrd

The Dimond Bridge emerges from the rugged cliffs as both a structural experiment and a sculptural gesture. Inspired by studies of classical truss systems, we explored prototypes of the Bollman Truss, the conventional Fink Truss, and a simplified Fink Truss through digital simulations. While the Bollman proved structurally superior, its heavy mass conflicted with our desire for lightness and elegance. The simplified Fink Truss revealed itself as a more balanced alternative—capable of achieving stability with less material, and therefore more aligned with our vision of a bridge that feels suspended rather than imposed.

Through iterations in Karamba, we refined the form by testing variations in height and the number of bays. The final solution, a six-bay structure with increased vertical dimension, delivers both technical performance and a distinctive architectural presence. Its diamond-like geometry refracts across the void, echoing the crystalline clarity of engineered form, while maintaining a sense of lightness against the vast landscape.

Suspended between cliffs, the bridge is not merely a passage but an encounter with the horizon. Its faceted structure frames shifting views of sea and rock, while its minimal use of material underscores a respect for place. The Dimond Bridge becomes an emblem of balance—between performance and poetics, efficiency and experience, structure and landscape.