Proesler Kommunikation has designed the Smart Circular Bridge, a bio-based bridge from an interdisciplinary consortium: sustainable infrastructure enjoyed through sound design.

The Smart Circular Bridge in Ulm, Germany, is the world's first bridge made of flax fibres and bio-based polyester resin that is approved for vehicles weighing up to 12 tonnes.

The bridge demonstrates the enormous potential of the new biocomposite material: it weighs just 3.9 tonnes, has a load-bearing capacity of over 24 tonnes, a small CO2 footprint and is an economically competitive solution.

An audio installation allows visitors to uniquely experience load changes, environmental factors and their journey across the bridge through sound. Meanwhile, a web app showcases how dedicated teams develop such innovations.

Embracing a circular economy, the bridge incorporates recycled PET bottles, while its railing is made of resin-coated flax fibres and repurposed wood from a demolished local bridge forms the handrail.

This project has been longlisted in the material innovation category of Dezeen Awards 2025.

Studio: Proesler Kommunikation
Project: Smart Circular Bridge in Ulm, Germany
Credits: Technical University of Eindhoven, Witteveen+Bos, Infra Composites, Fibr, BioMat, Com&Sens, 24SEA, City of Ulm and Audio-Agentur Klangerfinder