The humble bridge, while it may not strike you as one of the most exciting topics of conversation to introduce at a dinner party, is without a doubt one of the most significant early feats of structural engineering, which revolutionised travel dating back as far ancient Rome.

Of those involved in modern bridge design and construction, few are more noteworthy than renowned Swiss structural engineer Christian Menn, whose work spanned the latter decades of the 20th century, went on to inspire a generation of future bridge designers, and continued a long-standing tradition of Swiss excellence.

This stunning publication from Scheidegger and Speiss features more than 30 of Menn’s revolutionary designs, both built and unrealised, across 276 full colour and black and white images, with in-depth captions analysing the specifics of each project.

Menn’s text highlights his thinking and philosophy, approaching the circumstances and design process surrounding each individual project, demonstrating the passion and enthusiasm one expects more from an artist than an engineer. The book offers a fascinating insight into not just Menn’s experience as a bridge designer but also the art and history of structural engineering.

While many of Menn’s designs have become landmarks admired for their stunning design work and elegance, some of those displayed within the book will not take the layman’s breath away, instead appearing as those to be driven across and forgotten. Nonetheless each is a spectacular feat of design and engineering, a lifetime of work and passion, and years of combined construction, creating what is truly a work of art in its own right.

Motorists travelling towards the San Bardino Pass in Switzerland are awarded with a full frontal view of the 124m-long Crestawald Bridge (1958–1959) in Sufers [© Ralph Feiner]

Felsenau Bridge in Berne (1972–1974) is a prominent structure that dominates views from the Felsenau district up the river towards the Alps in the distance [© Ralph Feiner]

Leonard P. Zakim Bunken Hill Memorial Bridge in Boston (1998–2002) is a 400m-long, 10 lane structure which connects to an elevated highway at its north end [© Ralph Feiner]

Sunniberg Bridge in Klosters (1996–1998) has a total length of 526m, a height above the Landquart Valley of 60m, and follows a curve in plan of 500m radius [© Ralph Feiner]

Pregorda Bridge in Mesocco/Soazza (1971–1973) is a low bridge that follows the contours of the steep Moesa Valley [© Ralph Feiner]

Nanin Bridge in Mesocco (1966–1968) [© Ralph Feiner]

The elegant design of the 158m-long Bridge over the Rhine in Tamins (1963) is somewhat harmoniously integrated into the surrounding natural environment [© Ralph Feiner]

The Bridge over the Rhine in Bad Ragaz (1961–1962, widened in 1971–1972), is three-span prestressed concrete bridge with spans of 58, 82, and 58m long [© Ralph Feiner]

Valserrhein Bridge between Uors and Surcasti (1962) is symmetrical, with an 86m arch span and two 22m-long two-span approaches [© Ralph Feiner]

Biaschina Viaduct in Giornico (1979–1983). These twin bridges were built in cantilever construction and cross the Leventina Valley at a height of 100m [© Ralph Feiner]

Leonard P. Zakim Bunken Hill Memorial Bridge in Boston (1998–2002) [© Ralph Feiner]

Mühle Rickenbach Viaduct in Will (1964–1965) is a prestressed concrete structure of 257m long and 10.9m wide, with a constant depth of 2.4m [© Ralph Feiner]

The Nanin Bridge in Mesocco (1966–1968) is 192m long and has an arch span of 112m [© Ralph Feiner]

The 76m-long Letziwald Bridge in Avers (1959) spans a deep canyon at a height of 85m above the Avers Rhine [© Ralph Feiner]

Ganter Bridge in Ried-Brig (1977–1980). This 150m-high, 678m-long structure was designed with low towers above the deck, and stiff cable stays cast into sold concrete walls [© Ralph Feiner]

This review was first published on online for E&T magazine.