The jury of the Nine Elms to Pimlico Bridge competition has endorsed the concept proposed by Bystrup Architecture and Cowi team for a new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians over the River Thames in London. Pending final approval by Wandsworth Council's finance and corporate resources committee next week, the team will be selected as preferred bidder to develop a design for the new link.
The team - which is made up of Bystrup, Robin Snell & Partners, Sven Ole Hansen, Aarsleff, ÅF Lighting Aecom, Cowi Engineering and DP9 - was chosen from four shortlisted proposals from an initial field of 74 entries.
The winning team's concept design will not necessarily be built - Wandsworth Council has used the process to select a team, rather than a bridge design.
Graham Stirk, senior partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and chair of the competition jury panel, said: “This was an extremely difficult choice between four excellent teams, but ultimately we felt that Bysrup and their partners had the most compelling approach to the challenges posed in our brief. Their strategy is elegant and simple, they aspire to celebrate the river and create a thing of real beauty which is what this bridge should be. “Their light touch approach to landing points is commendable and the exploration of lighting and textured surfaces to manage movement across the bridge is both interesting and inventive. They see the bridge as a sustainable transport link and piece of new public realm which should be attractive, fun and a pleasure to use.”
Erik Bystrup, speaking on behalf of the team, said: “We are delighted to have this fantastic opportunity to design a new, modern piece of infrastructure for London. From the outset we wanted to design an elegant bridge that provided simple and uninhibited access for all, with minimal impact landings on each bank. We are very excited that this will be the first shared pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Thames, adding to the rich history of London’s river crossings.”
The cost of the crossing is estimated at US$60 million.
