New Islington Bridge
Competition entry, 2007

• to create a beautiful sculptural object.
• to evoke a sense of place.
• to enhance and vary the experience of crossing the canal
• to provide a special experience for canal users passing under the bridge
• to form a play space with different levels, colours, materials and varying acoustics.

The design creates a connection between canal and bridge, experienced from both above and below. During the day the perforated surface of the shell is interesting to experience from the water with dramatic lighting effects with sunlight passing through the jewel-like openings. From above the water is viewed through coloured lenses and the shell surface has a narrative of textures and words. At night the lights below the bridge platform make the jewels glow.

Materials & Structure
The platform is a self-supporting ferrocement shell with coloured glass insets. The walkway has a light steel structure cantilevered from the shell and timber deck to define the route.

The shell structure has the advantage that it can spring from grade at Redhill Street and give the required clearance to the canal. At the school site the ground is locally raised to meet the walkway – the route being defined in the paving across the land. On the east bank the shell swoops down to meet the ground and the walkway curves out to form a ramp and steps.
The simple palette of materials will not present complex or expensive maintenance requirements.

Construction
To allow continuous functioning of the canal the shell will be cast on site clear of the navigable route and lowered into it’s final position. The walkway ramp and stair assembly will be prefabricated in sections and bolted to the shell once it was in place.

Structural Engineers: David Narro Associates
Cost Consultant: Davis Langdon LLP
New Islington Partners: Urban Splash, English Partnerships and New East Manchester.
Computer Renderings: Tom Kaneko