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October 22, 2001

Loveland Visual Arts Commission
Dedicates Bridge Art Project

Boulder, Colorado October 22- The Loveland Visual Arts Commission dedicated the West First Street Bridge Art Project, "Patterns in Motion" by Mario Echevarria on Saturday, September 29. Loris and Associates, structural/civil engineers in Boulder, Colorado was the prime consultant for the design of this new $3.7 million structure to widen the bridge and allow for safe pedestrian traffic above deck and below on the bike path. As are many of Loris' bridges, this is not an ordinary, utilitarian looking structure - it is a work of art to represent community pride. After winning the project Mario Echevarria was added to the team and worked closely with Peter Loris, president of Loris and Associates, Paul Kuhn of Winston Associates (landscape architect on the team), and the Loveland Arts Commission to create "Patterns in Motion" on the bridge.

The bridge is a success story about art and engineering but mainly about the success of collaboration. Collaboration was the reason this work of art came to be. The City worked with Loris from the start to impress their desire to add art to this bridge. Loris in turn made sure Mario Echevarria was on the team from the start and worked closely with the Loveland Arts Commission, and other team members like Paul Kuhn of Winston Associates and Peter Loris. Stakeholders also included Colorado Department of Transportation Region 4 personnel because the bridge was federally funded. The combination of creation of art while engineering to CDOT and safety standards made collaboration necessary to make this project a success for all stakeholders.

As Paul Kuhn stated, "It made a big difference having Mario part of the team from the start rather than later because then the art would be more like an after-thought or an add-on. Having Mario present at all design charettes from the beginning helped create art into the basic structure of the bridge." This is apparent in small additions such as the sewer line running under the bridge. The line could not be moved, and therefore hidden in the bridge structure, so wavy, half circle brackets were added to the pipe to match the pattern in the concrete bridge rail.

The collaborations during the design charettes were satisfying because it was a give and take between all stakeholders. These charettes helped to create a "bridge" between art and safety with lighting that help pedestrians and vehicles see, but whimsical cut outs surrounding the lights also make them fun. Mr. Echevarria used mosaics to bring the bridge to life in "Patterns of Motion". The railings were designed to keep motorists and pedestrians safe as well as enhance the "life" of the bridge. The curving design came from the sinuous movements of the Big Thompson River flowing below the bridge. The motion theme evolved from the movement of air, water, people, and cars across and beneath the bridge. Also, the creation of the mosaics is such an old, approachable, friendly art form, it helps people feel more connected to the art. One of the mosaics or points of discovery of art is located under the bridge. It features a man's head that seems to move with you and follow you as you proceed along the path. During construction this head made some of the more superstitious workers a little wary about working in that area.

What makes Europe great is that many of their bridges and other utilitarian structures were designed as art. This was done especially on the wrought iron bridges of the 1800s and early 1900s. These bridges are statements of art all over Europe and we are finally seeing this emerge more in the United States. As engineers and travelers it is always a hope that in working with the community and artists to create these works of art that they in turn create a strong sense of ownership and pride for the communities. The design collaboration on the West First Street Bridge has helped to evoke this community pride in the City of Loveland.

# # # LORIS is a full service structural/civil engineering firm offering engineering services to a wide array of projects from buildings, bridges, roads, trails, special structures, and building sites to clients across Colorado.  Our offices are located in Lafayette, Colorado.  At LORIS we are "Mastering the Art of Engineering Structures and Infrastructures." For more information on LORIS, contact Ashley Giron at (303) 444-2073 x602 or agiron@lorisandassociates.com.