Awarded Finalist, February 2007
Client: Sefton MBC
Client: Sefton MBC
Following an international design competition, this scheme was selected among 88 entries onto a shortlist of six projects for further interview and discussion with the jury panel. The competition organized by RIBA called for the design of a new footbridge across the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in Bootle area of Liverpool, UK.
An ambitious plan had been set to improve the historical canal and regenerate the former industrial neglected area. That included a new high quality housing project on the eastern bank. Therefore, an attractive link was demanded to encourage the movement between the new housing development and the rest of Bootle. The brief urged that the new footbridge should be a land mark structure that would signify the area and provide an attractive gateway to the town.
The concept was to introduce a spatial dynamic light design, with a welcoming aspect that would generate a sense of openness and activity among pedestrians, a transparent structure deriving its beauty from a sensible structural system.
The concept was to introduce a spatial dynamic light design, with a welcoming aspect that would generate a sense of openness and activity among pedestrians, a transparent structure deriving its beauty from a sensible structural system.
From a structural point of view, it is an asymmetric suspension bridge with 4 main cables, the upper cables suspend the deck, while the lower inverted cables restrain it against oscillations and lateral shaking. That system eliminated the need of rigid structure beneath the deck, instead a very slender pre-castconcrete deck was proposed.
Beside the mentioned functional benefits, the inverted cables contribute to aesthetics of the design, enhance the sense of dynamism, and add a unique character to the bridge.
Instead of 2 separate masts, a single composite structure is proposed as a pylon supporting the bridge. Inspired by the japanese art of origami, it acts as a sculptural icon and a focal point that characterize the bridge. However it is basically designed to function structurally and cope with the forces imposed on it.
Beside the mentioned functional benefits, the inverted cables contribute to aesthetics of the design, enhance the sense of dynamism, and add a unique character to the bridge.
Instead of 2 separate masts, a single composite structure is proposed as a pylon supporting the bridge. Inspired by the japanese art of origami, it acts as a sculptural icon and a focal point that characterize the bridge. However it is basically designed to function structurally and cope with the forces imposed on it.
