The footbridge was conceived by bridge specialist Knight Architects and structural engineer AKT II following a limited design competition in 2012.
The 3m-wide cantilevered structure spans 20m across the Grand Union Canal and is raised using hydraulic jacks with an action similar to that of a traditional Japanese hand fan.
“This creates a kinetic sculpture whose silhouette is both legible and extraordinary and which is well suited to the position on Sunset Terrace next to the canal,” said Knight Architects.
The five fabricated steel beams that form the deck open in sequence, with the first rising to an angle of 80° and the last achieving the required clearance over the canal. This results in a clearance 2.5m tall by 5.5m wide at mid-channel.
Shaped counterweights assist the hydraulic mechanism and reduce the energy required to move the structure. The bridge balustrades are formed from twin rows of inclined stainless steel rods, overlapping to form a robust yet transparent structure.
The handrail houses a continuous low-energy LED downlight designed to provide uniform functional illumination of the walking surface and the edge.
Merchant Square is a new waterside garden square that will be home to Westminster’s tallest building, 1 Merchant Square.
