Terrazzo-look concrete slabs: Design and structural concept of the Drachensteg footbridge

The Drachensteg connects green spaces along the Kalten Pastritz and Chamb rivers, creates new recreational areas on the riverbank, and consistently uses concrete as flooring. The color scheme supports the narrative of the path as a living bridge between green spaces, the river, and the city, between the past and the present. Sculptural and almost organic in appearance, the architecture of the Drachensteg transforms a simple path into an urban experience with regional and traditional references.

Historical reference in architectural implementation

The legend of the dragon fight, which forms the basis for the design of the Drachensteg, is reflected in every curve, every component, and every design element. The approximately 600-meter-long circular path winds around a river island, spans the two rivers, and finally leads to the old town. The Drachensteg is thus more than just a connecting axis: it functions as a spatial quotation, a temporary homage to the past, and connects people and nature in a perfectly formed way with traditional customs.

Concrete as the language of modernity

The central building material is concrete in a new tone: concrete slabs from Hemmerlein Ingenieurbau in Bodenwöhr, colored in a strong red and pigmented with iron oxide, meet a smoothed, purist-clean surface. The color scheme symbolizes the dragon‘s blood spilled according to legend – a symbol of vitality, energy, and renewal.

The slabs are designed in a terrazzo look, while integrated river pebbles, traditionally used in Furth im Wald for construction and garden design, create a regional connection and lend the purist material a natural touch. The step elements are acidified. This creates a matt, structured surface that combines grip and tactility in a finely tuned manner.

Concrete as a design element in the landscape

Before implementation, various challenges had to be overcome. On the one hand, the long, curved path required three different foundation concepts: pile foundations under bridge fields, well foundations under footbridge sections, and tooth beam foundations with floor slabs under the staircase. This combination enabled static coordination across the changing subsoil profile and different settlements. Transition foundations connect the foundation systems so that movements can be absorbed harmoniously. Even the planning phase required extraordinary precision in measuring the geometries, as radii and changes in gradient had a significant influence on the manufacture and installation of the precast slabs.

Modular planning, versatile use

The Drachensteg is deliberately designed as a circular route: bridges, stepped terraces, and a river island offer a wide range of places to stop and rest. The railing, made of crescent-shaped steel slats in red, contrasts with the concrete surface in terms of materiality and creates a dynamic, organic frame. The upper belt profile also serves as a comfortable armrest – designed for lingering while letting your gaze wander over the landscape.

Accessibility for all

From the start at the spacious staircase on the shore at the conference center to the flat steps that reach the water, the Drachensteg integrates accessibility into the overall concept. Two ramps complement the stairs, allowing different user groups to enjoy the view of the water equally. The materials chosen ensure slip resistance in rain and ice and prevent excessive heating in sunlight.

The circular path with bridges and terraces creates new recreational areas on the riverbank, offering views of nature and the old town. The sculptural railing design, also in red, formed from crescent-shaped steel slats—a homage to the supposedly hard, scaly dragon skin—provides a dynamic counterpoint to the tranquil water landscape and makes the structure an identity-defining landmark of the 2025 State Garden Show.

In addition, the Dragon Bridge shows how concrete as a building material can symbolically act as a link between nature and the city. The combination of materials with river pebbles combines aesthetics and regional identity: their structure is reminiscent of natural grain sizes, while the color scheme speaks a contemporary architectural language.

Beton Bauteile 2026

The project report can also be read in the yearbook “Beton Bauteile 2025” (only in German). The yearbook is an inspirational reference book on exceptional projects, aesthetics and the art of engineering with precast concrete elements. Numerous contributions in the chapters on  architecture, technical construction, infrastructure, garden and landscape construction showcase the universal usability of the products as well as innovations and trends.

You can obtain your copy online at the Bauverlag Shop and via this link: www.beton-bauteile.de.