Architects Denton Corker Marshall designed this spaghetti-like bridge for Hangzhou in China. Unfortunately the competition it was shortlisted for has now been cancelled.
The 500 metre-long bridge would have comprised three entwined metal ribbons, winding across the Jinsha Lake.
The route for cyclists would be level, while the pedestrian bridge would climb up to a viewing platform.
A third, sculptural ribbon would weave around the two.
Zaha Hadid Architects and Grimshaw Architects were also shortlisted in the abandoned competition.
Denton Corker Marshall previously won a competition to design a bridge in Auckland, New Zealand, which has been delayed and won’t complete until 2016 – see the project on Dezeen here.
We’ve published a few loopy bridges for China on Dezeen – see a foot bridge for Xinjin here and another called Pearl River Necklace by NL Architects here.
Stories about bridges are always popular on Dezeen – see them all here.
Here are some more details about the project from the architects:
China bridge, international competition abandoned
A limited international design competition, for which Denton Corker Marshall was shortlisted, has been abandoned. Also shortlisted for the 400m-long pedestrian bridge at Jinsha Lake, Hangzhou, were Zaha Hadid and Grimshaw.
Denton Corker Marshall’s sculptural solution is a modern and energetic interpretation of the traditional local culture. Sinuous and dynamic, it responds to the requirement for a bold and distinctive icon. The thin profile of a long, non-vehicle bridge risks appearing insubstantial. Rising elegantly above the skyline, Denton Corker Marshall’s solution attains a signature presence amid the modern building scale of New Hangzhou.
The architects teamed with Arup to develop the concept, described by director Neil Bourne as “truly memorable and distinctive”. Three ribbon elements – the lower deck, upper deck and arched support structure – combine into an integrated object, in harmony both structurally and visually.
“It’s a powerful concept offering numerous interpretations: ribbons, dragons, landscape, calligraphy or simply abstract sculpture,” said Mr Bourne.
Importantly, the concept is very buildable using standard construction techniques, and structurally very efficient for its geometric complexity. It was on the acclaimed Webb Bridge scheme more than 10 years ago that Denton Corker Marshall and Arup pioneered the use of 3D CAD modelling and design in geometrically challenging bridge design.
Arup’s John Bahoric says the development and intelligent use of a digital model for Jinsha Lake Bridge has created a powerful tool for efficient delivery of the project, and which has been fundamental to the achievement of the design. Denton Corker Marshall understands that the competition organisers will now conduct a local design competition.
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| Nanhe River Landscape Bridge by WXY | Pearl River Necklace by NL Architects | Melkwegbridge by NEXT and Rietveld Landscape |
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