The Seaform Pavilion glass ceiling is designed to mimic the appearance of an underwater environment, using thousands of hand-blown glass elements.
The Polyvitro crystals used in the Crystal Towers were cast in molds designed to simulate the appearance of large, multi-faceted ice chunks.
The Venetian Wall features works inspired by traditional Venetian glassmaking techniques but executed with Chihuly's signature modern color palette.
The bridge was specifically engineered to withstand the regional seismic activity common in the Pacific Northwest.
Installation of the glass components required specialized scaffolding to maintain structural integrity while placing the delicate hand-blown pieces.
The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is a 500-foot pedestrian overpass connecting downtown Tacoma to the Thea Foss Waterway. The bridge features three distinct installations by artist Dale Chihuly: the Seaform Pavilion, the Crystal Towers, and the Venetian Wall. The Seaform Pavilion consists of a glass ceiling featuring 2,364 individual pieces of glass in aquatic forms. Two 40-foot tall Crystal Towers are constructed from 63 stacks of polyvitro crystals illuminated by internal light fixtures. The Venetian Wall displays 109 glass sculptures in a variety of classic, bold-colored designs. The structure serves as the gateway to the Museum of Glass and was dedicated in 2002. It is constructed from a combination of steel, concrete, and custom-molded glass components. The walkway is open to the public and offers panoramic views of the Tacoma waterfront and industrial tide flats.
Stand at the base of one of the two Crystal Towers looking upward to capture the contrast of the glowing glass against the night sky.
Visit during twilight hours to see the internal LED lighting systems fully illuminate the towers and the ceiling installations.
Ensure your camera has a low-light setting, as the bridge lighting provides significant contrast against the dark sky.
The bridge is exposed to the elements, so carry a light jacket even on sunny days due to the wind off the waterway.
Do not attempt to touch the glass installations, as the surfaces are delicate and can be damaged by skin oils or physical impact.
