Pylons and supporting caissons are positioned on the border of tidal and intertidal zones, respecting Port of London Authority clearance stipulations. Another advantage of the double curve is that the extra length of 1 in 20 ramp between these points and disabled lifts reduces the remaining drop to to 3.68m. We have shown very shallow stairs with deep landings which could be incorporated into even the tightest landing conditions. Ramps would of course also be possible. We also feel that requiring cyclists to dismount before major road junctions would be a sensible safety precaution.

Curving the deck nearly parallel to the floodwall creates a portion of riverside sheltered from traffic. This is served by a café/street-food outlet tucked under the stair next to each pair of disabled lifts. These areas (shaded yellow) are raised to permit seated river views over these sections of floodwall even at the 2100 level. On the bridge itself the wider pavement on the outside of each curve also provides space for fixed seating.

BALANCING CURVES 055NINE ELMS BRIDGE

1. PEDESTRIANS & CYCLISTS 3. HEIGHT AND ACCESS ISSUES

RIVER THAMES

NINE ELMS LN

RIVERW

ALK

RETAINING WALL

DECK RAISED FOR

VIEWS

SHIELD FROM TRAFFIC

AND NOISE

RETAINING WALL

DECK RAISED FOR

VIEWS

SHIELD FROM TRAFFIC

AND NOISE

A FLEXIBLE SPACE

cycle relax walk / viewsMOVEMENTPASSIVE PASSIVE

10m

4m2m 4m

cycle walk / viewsMOVEMENT PASSIVE

walk / viewsPASSIVE

10m

4m 3m3m

A FLEXIBLE SPACE

cycle relax walk / viewsMOVEMENTPASSIVE PASSIVE

10m

4m2m 4m

cycle walk / viewsMOVEMENT PASSIVE

walk / viewsPASSIVE

10m

4m 3m3m

10m

A Bridge has the purpose of providing passage over an obstacle

Pedestrians Cyclists

walk / cycle / relax

A FLEXIBLE SPACE

MAKING A PLACE

MOVEMENT

ONE SINGLE SPACE

GATHERING + MOVEMENT

10m

walk / cycle relax / enjoyrelax edge

PASSIVE PASSIVE

9m

3m3m 3m

OFF-PEAK HOURS

DEDICATED CORRIDORS BUT FLEXIBLE LAYOUT

PEAK HOURS

cycle walk / viewsMOVEMENT PASSIVE

walk / viewsPASSIVE

10m

4m 2m - 4m2m - 4m

2. MAKING A PLACE 4. CONSTRUCTION PHASING

Meeting Points

Seating and Gathering

Views

Raised Areas (Active Points)

Retaining wall

Noise shield

cyclist dismount

LIGHT TOUCH ON LANDPOINT

CAFE / RETAIL GREEN / RELAX

lift from ground level to bridge deck

INCLUSIVE ACCESS

12.35 m

3.68 m

24.35 m

1:20 gradient of �atter over bridge deck

GENTLE INCLINE

cyclist speed reduced

TRAFFIC JUNCTION SAFER

+6.35m floodwall height

+7.1m floodwall clearance

+4.68m average EGL

* all levels AOD

+5.45m raised cafe deck

+8.1m top of deck

walk / cycle TOP OF DECK

RAISED CAFE DECKriver views

1. Install cofferdam and construct bridge piers.

4. Lift into place and temporary guy.

7. Extend bridge deck building out from masts

2. Construct access ramp and temporary construction deck.

5. Install bridge deck adjacent to bank on temporary construction deck.

8. Install final section of bridge deck and remove temporary construction deck.

3. Fabricate masts and transport to site by barge.

6. Bring sections of bridge deck to site, by barge and install.

9. Bridge completed and fully operational

Elevated deck for cafe and views to the river over floodwall

Curved landing points look to minimize land intake from the riverwalk

View point

Flexible cycle corridor

Pylon (ETFE / Steel)

Landpoint: slowing down cyclists

Lift access 4.68m AOD

Bridge Pier (clearance between piers of 150m)

Year 2100 floodwall level

We have treated the 10m wide bridge deck like a London Street without cars. Cyclists occupy the middle, pedestrians both sides. The section is symmetrical only at the mid span position (3m pavement, 4m cycleway, 3m pavement) but asymmetrically at the two curves with a 4m pavement on the outside (which is unobstructed by a pylon). This philosophy allows peak and non-peak modes of operation. It allows cyclists and pedestrians to meet and talk. It is also no different at North and South Street intersections to any other London street.

150m clear between piers

10m

A Bridge has the purpose of providing passage over an obstacle

Pedestrians Cyclists

walk / cycle / relax

A FLEXIBLE SPACE

MAKING A PLACE

MOVEMENT

ONE SINGLE SPACE

GATHERING + MOVEMENT

10m

walk / cycle relax / enjoyrelax edge

PASSIVE PASSIVE

9m

3m3m 3m

OFF-PEAK HOURS

DEDICATED CORRIDORS BUT FLEXIBLE LAYOUT

PEAK HOURS

cycle walk / viewsMOVEMENT PASSIVE

walk / viewsPASSIVE

10m

4m 2m - 4m2m - 4m

10m

A Bridge has the purpose of providing passage over an obstacle

Pedestrians Cyclists

walk / cycle / relax

A FLEXIBLE SPACE

MAKING A PLACE

MOVEMENT

ONE SINGLE SPACE

GATHERING + MOVEMENT

10m

walk / cycle relax / enjoyrelax edge

PASSIVE PASSIVE

9m

3m3m 3m

OFF-PEAK HOURS

DEDICATED CORRIDORS BUT FLEXIBLE LAYOUT

PEAK HOURS

cycle walk / viewsMOVEMENT PASSIVE

walk / viewsPASSIVE

10m

4m 2m - 4m2m - 4m

Dedicated corridors but Flexible Layout

01 0201

02

We should also point out that this design minimises structural requirements within landing points and gives the best chance of preserving existing trees. There is also the possibility of manoeuvrings deck sections for the central span into position from previously suspended sections to either side by cantilevering them out with temporary supports.

The bicycle is emblematic for economy-of-means and balance. We have tried to create something timeless, elegant and inevitable. The slender, snaking deck and its minimal stainless steel hangers draw one’s attention first to a pair of leaning pylons magically balanced on their offset concrete bases. The steel armatures from which these pylons are fabricated are enveloped in a single skin of pressurised light-diffusing ETFE, inside which dynamic games of coloured light can be played.

+9.96m AOD clear height

055

055

The bicycle is emblematic for economy-of-means and balance. We propose this bridge should also be so. We have tried to create something timeless, elegant and inevitable. The slender, snaking deck and its minimal stainless steel hangers draw one’s attention first to a pair of leaning pylons magically balanced on their offset concrete bases. The steel armatures from which these pylons are fabricated are enveloped in a single skin of pressurised light-diffusing ETFE, inside which dynamic games of coloured light can be played.

We have treated the 10m wide bridge deck like a London Street without cars. Cyclists occupy the middle, pedestrians both sides. The section is symmetrical only at the mid span position (3m pavement, 4m cycleway, 3m pavement) but asymmetrically at the two curves with a 4m pavement on the outside (which is unobstructed by a pylon). This philosophy allows peak and non-peak modes of operation. It allows cyclists and pedestrians to meet and talk. It is also no different at North and South Street intersections to any other London street.

Curving the deck nearly parallel to the floodwall creates a portion of riverside sheltered from traffic. This is served by a café/street-food outlet tucked under the stair next to each pair of disabled lifts. These areas (shaded yellow) are raised to permit seated river views over these sections of floodwall even at the 2100 level. On the bridge itself the wider pavement on the outside of each curve also provides space for fixed seating.

Pylons and supporting caissons are positioned on the border of tidal and intertidal zones, respecting Port of London Authority clearance stipulations. Another advantage of the double curve is that the extra length of 1 in 20 ramp between these points and disabled lifts reduces the remaining drop to to 3.68m. We have shown very shallow stairs with deep landings which could be incorporated into even the tightest landing conditions. Ramps would of course also be possible. We also feel that requiring cyclists to dismount before major road junctions would be a sensible safety precaution.

We should also point out that this design minimises structural requirements within landing points and gives the best chance of preserving existing trees. There is also the possibility of manoeuvrings deck sections for the central span into position from previously suspended sections to either side by cantilevering them out with temporary supports.

BALANCING CURVES