Temple University Skywalk Back to Projects

Objectives

The 80’ long, all-glass bridge “Skywalk” at Temple University spans between Speakman Hall and 1810 Liacouras Walk.

Bellwether and National Glass managed the project as a design build with Jacobs.  The clean, all glass design features custom point supported glass-to-glass connections, without the need for structural fin supports.

The new 80’ long, all-glass bridge “Skywalk” at Temple University spans between Speakman Hall and 1810 Liacouras Walk.

Bellwether and National Glass managed the project as a design build with Jacobs.  The clean, all glass design features custom point supported glass-to-glass connections, without the need for structural fin supports.

Approach

Key challenges during the design phase included the need to engineer the system to allow for differential movements of the two buildings.

The weight of the 1-9/16” structural glass lites was carefully considered in coordinating with the steel erector’s pre-camber calculations.  Bellwether created an installation sequence that evenly loaded the bridge steel from the center to the ends.

Results

The skywalk is an architectural focal point spanning a main thoroughfare on campus, while allowing for quicker access between existing buildings in this monumental bridge.