 |
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 | Levent OZLER
Mcdowell+Benedetti Announced Winner of Landmark River Footbridge, Hull
London based architects and urban designers McDowell+Benedetti have won a major international design competition for a new landmark opening footbridge on the River Hull in East Yorkshire. The competition was launched by Citybuild in May 2005 to provide pedestrian access from the historic city centre to a new civic quarter being developed on the East Bank, called "The Boom".
McDowell+Benedetti's winning scheme allows pedestrians the unique experience of riding on the bridge while it is actually opening, a world first. The generous width of the bridge creates a new public space in its own right, linking plazas on both banks, and will feature an indoor space which can be used for meetings, events and exhibitions, or as a café or shop. Working with structural engineers Alan Baxter & Associates and Yorkshire-based mechanical / electrical engineers and contractors Qualter Hall, McDowell+Benedetti have designed the bridge as a distinctive curving sculptural form and new riverscape landmark. It sits level with the east and west banks and rotates 90 degrees to open the route to river traffic when required.
In contrast to the river's industrial character and muddy tones, the bridge is sleek and sensuous and clad with a robust black non-slip recycled rubber finish, which has a tactility and acoustic quality that encourages inhabitation. It features two generous routes, one gently ramping pedestrian and cycle route, and a shorter stepped walkway. The central structural spine is modelled into a series of platforms, creating a variety of places for people to use and enjoy the riverscape views.
McDowell+Benedetti
Jonathan McDowell and Renato Benedetti formed McDowell+Benedetti in 1996, winning immediate recognition nationally for the practice's short listed scheme for the Thames Millennium Bridge, London.
For a relatively young practice McDowell+Benedetti has earned a reputation for range and ingenuity, producing an unusually diverse portfolio of projects across all sectors, from urban design, public and cultural buildings, bridges, education and healthcare, offices, housing, shops, restaurants and furniture. Projects range from the micro to the macro, from bespoke residential schemes and flagship retail stores, to a series of large-scale inner city developments, from a public space project in Workington, to the masterplan of a Grade I & II listed private school. Award-winning projects include The Association of the Photographers Gallery, London (1998) and the Springboard Business Centre, Stokesley North Yorkshire (2005).
The practice is currently engaged in the design and development of a 130m pedestrian bridge on the River Aire, which forms the centre piece of Channel Four's regeneration initiative The Castleford Project. The practice's experience of bridge design extends to include short listed schemes for Poole Harbour Bridge (2002) and Willow Bridge,Cambridge (2004).
The partners lecture regularly and are visiting critics at schools of architecture in the UK and Canada. Jonathan McDowell is a member of the CABE Enabling Panel. Renato Benedetti is an RIBA Client Design Advisor, and Competitions judge, a committee member of both the London Architecture Biennale, and the Architecture Club, as well as a member of the recently formed Southwark Design Review Panel.
On the west bank the bridge's circular form allows the entire structure to pivot while remaining in continuous contact with the river edge. The indoor space creates a new destination, adding to the vibrancy of this new public area, and further encouraging riverside regeneration.
The bridge's zoomorphic form and large scale, with glowing dorsal fin skylight, give it strong visibility alongside The Deep and Drypool Bridge, and make it a memorable landmark unique to Hull and its maritime heritage.
Public feedback from a local exhibition of the final shortlisted schemes steered the final decision convincing the jury - which included representatives of Hull City Council, Yorkshire Forward and two members of the public - that this bridge will be an object of civic pride.
McDowell+Benedetti: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/7842/
|
|
|
