Trampolines used to be the kind of thing you assembled in your backyard, its only purpose being something that could propel your body through the air in a monotonously repetitive vertical manner. And indeed, the whole point of trampolines was that there was no point. But trampolines, it would now appear, can also be useful. As a pair of European designers have demonstrated, it is in fact possible to intertwine the fun-factor of trampolines with utility. And the world is now a better place.
First off is the proposed trampoline "Bridge in Paris," a design that was put together by Atelier Zündel Cristea of AZC Architecture Studios. His describes his floaty bridge thusly:
It appears to us that Paris has enough bridges. Our intention is to invite its visitors and inhabitants to engage on a newer and more playful path across this same water.
We propose an inflatable bridge equipped with giant trampolines, dedicated to the joyful release from gravity as one bounces above the river. Installed near the Bir-Hakeim Bridge, it is formed of inflatable modules, like giant life-preservers, 30 meters in diameter.
In the central part of each ring, a trampoline mesh is stretched. The floating buoys, fabricated in PVC membrane, are attached together by cord to form a stable and self-supporting ensemble. Each module under tension – filled with 3700 cubic meters of air – develops in space with an arch-like form.
Given its light-weight and flexible design, the trampoline bridge could be adapted to other rivers of various widths.
And for those looking to stay on dry land, there's Salto Architect's "Fast Track" trampoline sidewalk.
Assembled for the annual Archstoyanie Creative Festival in the forest of Nikola-Lenivets, Russia, the 170 foot long track "is an attempt to create intelligent infrastructure that is emotional and corresponds to the local context, giving the user a different experience of moving and perceiving the environment." Okay, sure, but it also looks impossibly fun and crazy-dangerous.
The trampoline sidewalk was designed by Maarja Kask, Karli Luik, and Ralf Lõoke.
Trampoline bridge h/t dsgnwrld; images courtesy AZC. Trampline sidewalk h/t Knstrct; images courtesy Nikita Šohov & Karli Luik.