Project Description

Amid the fast-paced rhythm of urban life, the spaces beneath pedestrian footbridges often remain neglected, serving no purpose beyond shadow and dust. This proposal reimagines such a “negative space” into a vibrant urban healing hub, a place where books, plants, art, and compassion converge to restore connection between people, community, and nature.

On one side of the bridge, the under-stair space transforms into a cozy bookstore, offering both new and second-hand books for all ages. It becomes a gentle pause point for hurried passersby, a place to browse, discover, and rekindle personal memories through the tactile joy of reading. Opposite, the other under-stair space blooms into a flower and plant shop, infusing the air with fragrance, color, and a reminder of nature’s quiet resilience.

Between these anchors, seating areas invite visitors to sip tea, read, or simply rest. Gallery walls display rotating artworks, turning the bridge’s base into an evolving cultural canvas that sparks curiosity and conversation. A small sheltered nook is dedicated to stray dogs providing a dry, safe refuge during harsh weather, while also encouraging acts of care from the community.

By layering books, greenery, art, and animal welfare within a once-forgotten site, the design nurtures healing on multiple levels: personal retreat, communal gathering, and ecological empathy. This under-bridge transformation proves that even the smallest, overlooked urban corners can hold space for joy, connection, and renewal, a true testament to the city’s capacity to heal when care is woven into its everyday fabric.