New Islington Bridge, Manchester – design competition
Client: New Islington Partners/Urban Splash
Status: Competition entry February 2007
In this project a bridge was required to connect five routes which run through the scheme crossing a new canal. Developed with Arup, we drew on the structures of Pier Luigi Nervi for inspiration.
Our design derives from a sphere cut horizontally to create a dome over the canal. The five routes were projected on to the dome and the remainder of the surface removed leaving the distinctive arms spanning to a single point.
We proposed to make the structure using CNC cut polystyrene formwork which would be cut directly from the computer model using rapid prototyping techniques. This would be laid over the primary false work and reinforcement added. After the pour, the false work would be struck and the polystyrene cut out.
The rib structure of the bridge follows the lines of principal stress. These are expressed creating an interlocking geometric pattern on the surface.
