Parkway Iconic Bridge, Sheffield
Our endeavour is to fulfil the Brief’s aspirations to design a landmark bridge and present an outstanding gateway structure to both Rotherham and Sheffield. A series of sketches explored various design issues - design inspiration and innovation, sustainability, materials recycling and vandal-proof vs. build-ability, maintenance and financial budget. Questions were asked, discarded and re-emerged later and the exercise repeated itself to thoroughly examine and develop the design concept.
The proposed bridge connects to existing tracks on both sides of the carriageway. Gently rising from the landscape, the design intends to harmoniously fuse the bridge into its natural surroundings. To the east, the single curve takes the users gracefully through the dense woods experiencing the wilderness from a height. To the west, the bridge swirls around to prevent impeding the use of the golf course.
Dubbed the ‘Angels Wings’, the bridge symbolises the close connections of Rotherham and Sheffield; a gateway to two great steel centres. The combination of a light structure with a heavy deck compliments each other and so does the smooth surface of steel against the rough textured concrete. The supporting structure has evolved as a fluid organic bird-like form that is hovering over the carriage way.
Our endeavour is to fulfil the Brief’s aspirations to design a landmark bridge and present an outstanding gateway structure to both Rotherham and Sheffield. A series of sketches explored various design issues - design inspiration and innovation, sustainability, materials recycling and vandal-proof vs. build-ability, maintenance and financial budget. Questions were asked, discarded and re-emerged later and the exercise repeated itself to thoroughly examine and develop the design concept.
The proposed bridge connects to existing tracks on both sides of the carriageway. Gently rising from the landscape, the design intends to harmoniously fuse the bridge into its natural surroundings. To the east, the single curve takes the users gracefully through the dense woods experiencing the wilderness from a height. To the west, the bridge swirls around to prevent impeding the use of the golf course.
Dubbed the ‘Angels Wings’, the bridge symbolises the close connections of Rotherham and Sheffield; a gateway to two great steel centres. The combination of a light structure with a heavy deck compliments each other and so does the smooth surface of steel against the rough textured concrete. The supporting structure has evolved as a fluid organic bird-like form that is hovering over the carriage way.