Flint & Neill and Studio Bednarski have beaten nine other teams to win an international competition for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over Copenhagen's Inner Harbour.
The design is for a sliding bridge, which has been dubbed "the kissing bridge" for the way the two parts meet together gently at the centre. The winning bridge has a low profile combined with transparency and the opening section is described as appearing to float in the air.
People will be able to stand on viewing platforms at the edge of the navigation channel, even when the bridge is open for ships and boats to pass through. The opening span is 50m and the total length is 180m.
"We have deliberately avoided high structural elements, which would interrupt views across and along the harbour, both when the bridge is closed and when it is open," said Cezary Bednarski.
"It seems that our more gentle and under-stated approach has paid off," said Flint & Neill director Ian Firth.
The winning team also includes Hardesty & Hanover for mechanical and electrical design; and Speirs & Major Associates for lighting design.
It is the largest bridge in a scheme that also involves three canal crossings to be designed by Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes.
