Recently, two new bridges designed by MTD landscape architects were installed in the Leij stream valley in Tilburg. Constructed by Damsteegt of Meerkerk, the bridges are part of a series of six, envisioned in the master plan for the future healthcare campus of Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital (ETZ). These connections not only provide physical access but also mark the first step in the spatial and programmatic development of the care park.
Just as these bridges link both banks of the stream, MTD landscape architects connects on many levels: we bring together stakeholders, integrate functions, and create cohesion within complex challenges. Our designs are characterized by a high level of integration, refined detailing, and custom solutions—especially when it comes to structural elements like bridges.
Bridges as Carriers of Identity and Character
At MTD, a bridge is never just a civil engineering structure. It is a design statement—an integral and meaningful part of the landscape or urban setting. Bridges mark transitions, anchor routes, and give identity to a place. Within our design philosophy, we always seek the right balance between function, aesthetics, and context. Structural integrity, sustainability, durability, ecology, and cost form the functional foundation, while form and material expression define the added design value.
A Versatile Portfolio of Bridges
Over the years, MTD has built a diverse portfolio of bridge designs. From the striking Geniebrug across the A4 motorway (in collaboration with Verburg Hoogendijk Architects), to cycling and pedestrian bridges at Jeroen Bosch Hospital, parcel bridges in Boxtel, and theme bridges for De Efteling amusement park—each project requires a tailored approach: carefully positioning the bridge in the plan, aligning it with its intended function, and embedding it within the wider spatial narrative.
For the Amsterdamse Bos, we designed two new "forest bridges" as part of the existing ensemble of 116 bridges. The Geniebrug brings military heritage to life, with materials and detailing that reference the historic landscape and defensive structures. In other projects, such as the estate of Waterschap Brabantse Delta or the Trinity site along the Amstel, we developed a 'design family' of bridges that promote visual cohesion and identity.
ETZ Bridges in Tilburg: A Showcase of Integrated Design
The ETZ bridges in Tilburg are a prime example of this integrative approach. Designed as a family, they are architecturally embedded in the landscape of the future healthcare campus. The bridges help make the routes logical, inviting, and experiential—while lending character to the site. At MTD, we don’t design bridges as isolated objects, but as strategic links within a broader spatial narrative. In doing so, we add meaning and quality to infrastructure and enhance the identity of a place—whether it’s a healthcare campus, city edge, heritage site, or newly developed landscape.
