Salford City Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) had organised the competition for a new bridge within the 7ha Meadows site, which forms northern section of the Irwell River Park project. Funding has yet to be secured for the proposed bridge, which is intended to connect the site to the US$1.07 billion redevelopment of central Salford, the University of Salford and the historic Peel Park.
Tonkin Liu with Arup beat shortlisted entries from Atelier Zündel Cristea; Mott MacDonald with Moxon Architects; and Wolfgang Buttress Studio with Toby Savage Design Limited and LDA Design. The shortlist had been announced in October.
RIBA Adviser Renato Benedetti of McDowell + Benedetti said: “Tonkin Liu with Arup are worthy winners - their unique bridge is poetic, innovative and elegantly engineered with sinuous curves seamlessly linking the Meadows with the new public space to be created. Its sculptural qualities ensure it will be a joy to look at and to use, becoming an inspirational new urban marker for Salford."
Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart said: “The winner’s entry clearly stood out for its bold design. It could become an iconic centrepiece for the area. We will now be working with our partners to find the funding to create this stunning new bridge in the heart of Salford that will add to the city’s global reputation.”
Mike Tonkin of Tonkin Liu said: “We are very excited about taking forward our project on this beautiful site, a place-making project that encompasses architecture, landscape and cutting-edge engineering. Our biomimetic design has grown out of many years of research with Ed Clark's engineering team at Arup and will bring together many facets of our fascination with nature.”
