From the Dushanbe National Stadium to Five Landscape Bridges: PFM's Capabilities in Landscape Engineering

Bridge No. 4 ("Bridge of Nature"): Incorporates snow-capped mountains and terrains as design elements, paying tribute to Tajikistan's natural landscape as the "Country of Mountains."

Bridge No. 5 ("Bridge of the Silk Road"): Utilizes arches and flowing ribbon shapes to express the rich heritage of Silk Road culture.

PFM's approach was structured as follows:

Step 1: Conceptual sketches

Step 2: Structural design and calculations based on bridge drawings or site data

Step 3: Model detailing using Tekla

Step 4: Aluminum panel detailing by the team using Rhino

Step 5: Steel structure fabrication

Step 6: Lighting design detailing

Step 7: Multi-party coordination and alignment

Step 8: Manufacturing across factories

Step 9: On-site installation

Step 10: Lighting integration and commissioning

Take Bridge No. 2, the "Bridge of Romance," as an example. Its design resembles a flower. While the floral shape looked elegant on paper, challenges arose in production: the curved aluminum panels varied in curvature at different positions, raising the question of how to ensure every panel fit seamlessly.

PFM's solution was "precise full-chain control."

Our engineering team designed the primary structure and completed load calculations based on the bridge conditions to guarantee design feasibility. Subsequently, through Tekla and Rhino modeling, we detailed the steel structures and aluminum panels, enabling factories to manufacture components directly from model parameters with precise calibration, ensuring that every panel matched its intended curvature.

During the renovation of Bridge No. 1, the client proposed installing rebar mesh only along both sides of the walkway. PFM insisted on laying rebar mesh across the entire bridge deck. The reason was straightforward: loads do not act exclusively on the sides. Ultimately, full-deck mesh reinforcement with interlocking ties was executed, securing the structural safety of the bridge.

Simultaneously, the client originally planned to break through the bridge's connecting tunnel to expedite construction. PFM argued for maintaining decorative continuity across the structure and successfully convinced the construction lead to adopt this approach. In addition to structural reinforcement, the function of Bridge No. 1 was reclassified: it was officially designated as pedestrian-only, eliminating vehicle-related risks.

During construction, the newly built Bridges No. 4 and No. 5 also faced major challenges. For Bridge No. 4, local structural strength was compromised because the client did not fully follow PFM's rebar configuration specifications. To guarantee safety, PFM required adding upper and lower clamping plates at the affected positions to lock the structure securely.

Bridge No. 5 required precise integration with the existing stadium, necessitating accurate cutouts in the side walls to deeply merge the bridge and stadium models. Any discrepancy risked damaging the completed building structure. Through precise model nesting, the team performed this delicate operation on the existing structure.

All solutions for the five bridges underwent rigorous structural calculations and multi-dimensional strength verification under various operating conditions—including dead load, wind load, and seismic loads. Implementation only proceeded after verifying that all safety metrics met the required standards.

Because when it comes to safety, there is no room for compromise.

PFM adopted a flexible division of labor: the Tajik side handled foundational civil works to leverage local labor cost advantages, while PFM took charge of core technical aspects—including decorative design, steel structure detailing, and lighting systems—to manage quality and technical standards.

In this collaboration, PFM did not merely supply design plans; it actively drove local contractors toward higher standards. Facing discrepancies between design drawings and site conditions, as well as contractor resistance to high standards, PFM chose to resolve issues directly on site. Through formal email confirmations, illustrated documentation, and stationed personnel, the team ensured requirements were met.

The project director traveled to the site to finalize solutions and drive implementation directly. This proactive, site-based decision-making approach represents PFM's core strategy for deep engagement in international markets.

PFM has established a sustainable framework of "Chinese Technology + Local Resources" for cross-border projects: the Chinese team oversees technical standards, core design, and quality control, while the local team handles base construction and resource coordination. This approach lowers Chinese labor costs, builds local construction capabilities, and earns trust and experience for future projects.

More importantly, through this deep collaboration model, PFM has built a stable network with local designers, contractors, and suppliers—forming the foundation for long-term presence and business expansion in the country.

This represents not only the export of Chinese technical expertise, but also the realization of a sustainable model for international engineering collaboration.

Notably, the lighting system across the five bridges adopted the concealed wiring technique commonly used in China: cables run through hidden conduits concealed within structural pipes or non-visible areas, leaving no exposed wiring on the exterior. This practice is uncommon in Tajikistan, where bridge lighting typically relies on surface-mounted wiring that leaves messy, exposed cables. PFM's insistence on higher construction standards produced a markedly superior level of quality through this single detail.

After tourists posted photos of the five bridges on social media, the video views quickly exceeded 30,000.

The 30,000-seat stadium is set to reach its moment of prominence during the 35th Independence Anniversary celebration. Surrounding it, the five bridges embody PFM's technology and standards—from load calculations and structural modeling to cost optimization, lighting standards, site measurements, and multi-party coordination.

Landscape is not a supporting actor. It is an integral component of a complete landmark and an essential part of "a fully realized National Stadium." PFM delivers main architectural structures while excelling at complex peripheral landscape engineering projects.

This is not merely the story of five bridges, but a testament to PFM's capability to deliver results.

Project Scope: Decorative structural design, steel structure and aluminum panel detailing, and lighting engineering for five landscape bridges.

Project Location: Surrounding the National Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Core Capabilities: Structural Load Assessment | 3D Modeling | Curved Aluminum Panel Detailing | Concealed Lighting Wiring | Cost Optimization | Multi-disciplinary Coordination Management