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SALOMA BRIDGE

Architect : VERITAS ARCHITECTS SDN BHD

The Saloma Link is a pedestrian bridge that connects Kampong Bharu, the traditional Malay enclave dating back to late 19th century and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), the modern cosmopolitan Central Business District (CBD), formerly separated by the Sungai Klang and the six-lane AKLEH highway. It re-established historical connection between Jalan Ampang and Kampong Bharu, among the prominent landmarks that creates Kuala Lumpur. It encompassed the redevelopment of Jalan Saloma, with a streetside plaza, wider shaded foot paths and a 370m elevated walkway culminated on a bridge that spans 69m across the Klang River and the AKLEH highway.


Inspired by the Sirih Junjung, a matrimonial gift hand-crafted from sireh leaves, traditionally offered in Malay weddings as a symbol of unity, the Saloma Link represents a ceremonial gesture that embodies the bond between two important enclaves in the city: the affluent Kuala Lumpur City Centre and the traditional village of Kampong Bharu. It is aimed to celebrate and encourage pedestrian mobility in the city as part of the sustainable urban design initiatives. Moving towards that objective, Saloma Link also connects the missing link towards a more complete city-wide pedestrian path network in the city.


Besides that, the Saloma Link also aims to stimulate both the conservation and the redevelopment of this historical part of the city, by making it more accessible and spreading the welfare of the prosperous CBD to this traditional enclave making the place resilient that can participate more equitably in Kuala Lumpur’s growth.
The prominent feature of the bridge is the curved steel roof canopy consists of 4,100 diamond facade modules, made of solid, perforated Aluminum and glass panels. Each of the façade panels are equipped with discreetly integrated with the structure, state-of-the-art lighting modules to illuminate the bridge during the night. During the day, the panel’s unique shapes reflect the sunlight to give the bridge a slight glimmer and distinctive character.


The permeability of the canopy promotes air flow inside the enclosure making the space underneath breezy and comfortable. This creates a pleasant respite from the hot tropical climate. In addition to that, the interior of the canopy is also naturally lit and the right balance of the sunlight creates a play of light and shadows that offers a unique experience as one walks through the bridge during the day.


At nights, the glimmering studs emit colorful lights that make the façade a medium for variety of programmable lighting display – a form of artistic expression using lights as medium. This contributes to the popularity of the bridge during weekends and festive periods. This feature also makes Saloma Link a unique public realm that complements other city attractions. The attraction also creates economic activities to the surroundings.

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