Knight Architects - St Philips Footbridge
Project Details
Project - St Philips Footbridge
Sector - Commerical
Technology - Offsite
Company - Knight Architects
Project Overview
The St. Philips pedestrian and cycle bridge in Bristol spans the River Avon, contributing much-needed accessibility to an area isolated by several infrastructures and the watercourse. Used for rail-related activities for more than 150 years, the area is set for a transformation into a new city centre neighbourhood as part of one of the most important current urban development projects in Bristol.
In an extraordinarily challenging site, the structure is the result of a thorough design process that simultaneously responds to geometric, architectural, hydraulic, environmental, and buildability-related constraints. The footbridge connects two banks with a significant difference in elevation, appearance, ground conditions and accessibility, one of them soon to be transformed into a new district and the other being an industrial area that is planned to turn into a public space in the longer term.
The holistic architectural, functional, and structural design approach led to an innovative and elegant 50m-span and 4-m wide forked steel bridge, seamlessly hosting a staircase as well as a ramp for disabled users and cyclists. The bridge helps to catalyse urban development, setting the quality benchmark for the future regeneration of the area.
Find further information on Knight Architects on their website: www.knightarchitects.co.uk
