Top teams in running for new London cycling bridge over the Thames
Designs from Hopkins Architects, Amanda Levete and Arup (two entries) are among those in final contention for a new £40m pedestrian and cycle bridge across London's River Thames intended to boost active commuting.
Active design has been a hot topic in recent months, especially in light of new research which found cities which strive to promote physical activity gain a significant economic advantage. A study from cycling charity Sustrans, meanwhile, found that the UK’s National Cycle Network has saved the economy more than £7bn since it was established 20 years ago.
Wandsworth Council, which is running a design competition for the new London bridge, has unveiled proposals from the four architecture and engineering teams which have been shortlisted for the contest. One of the challenges for the teams – picked from a field of 74 entrants – is to create a bridge which is high enough for boats to pass under, but not too steep for pedestrians and cyclists to climb.
The bridge is seen as a key part of a major infrastructure package that is in place to transform and regenerate the Nine Elms district, with the crossing offering a car-free alternative that would boost active commuting.
“We now have some very exciting and quite spectacular designs on the table,” said Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council.
“There is still a long way to go but these teams have given us real hope that a solution can be found to the complex challenges involved in creating a new pedestrian and cycle link across this stretch of the river.”
The winning team will be named later this year by the competition’s jury panel, which includes Govindia, Lambeth councillor Joanne Simpson, architect Graham Stirk, engineer Henry Bardsley and chair of Cabe at the Design Council Pam Alexander.
The shortlisted teams are:
• Buro Happold with Marks Barfield Architects, J&L Gibbons Landscape Architects, Gardiner and Theobald
• Bystrup Architecture Design and Engineering with Robin Snell & Partners, Sven Ole Hansen ApS, Aarsleff and ÅF Lighting
• Ove Arup & Partners with AL_A, Gross Max, Equals Consulting and Movement Strategies
• Ove Arup & Partners with Hopkins Architects and Grant Associates
A working winter wonderland: Canadian ‘Freezeway’ conjures active commuting solution
Gensler takes London’s transport future underground with active commuting concept
New study to explore ways to boost active commuting
Active commuting on the rise in Bristol
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
SHA Mexico to debut in January 2024 with genome-inspired design by Sordo Madaleno
Why shouldn’t sports facilities be beautiful? Across Asia, architects are creating landmark buildings for the public, discovers Christopher de Wolf
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home