COBE unveils the proposal for London's new pedestrian bridge across the River Thames, between Nine Elms and Pimlico.The project envisions not only a new connection in London, but also a series of vibrant public urban spaces for all Londoners.

The vision for this project is to create a bridge that is more than an instrument for moving people across the River Thames. Combining two urban parks, one on each side, the bridge creates a series of vibrant public urban spaces like beads on a string. Spaces for pauses, for waiting, for observing life, for pockets where city life can unfold.

The design concept consists of frames interconnected in a series of white horizontal links giving the bridge the appearance of bare Elm branches. On each side of the bridge, a wooden deck is placed within these frames, creating a 200 meters long bench that separates flows of pedestrians and bicyclists.

The bridge’s height and significant location gives an amazing view over the city, for all Londoners to enjoy. The bridge has two cantilevered amphitheaters, one pressed slightly down, the other slightly up, allowing for various views onto the city. 

The project creates a new cycle and pedestrian connection across the River Thames in London.

The bridge connects Nine Elms to Pimlico between the Chelsea and Vauxhall bridges.

The site - Nine Elms Riverside to Pimlico Gardens. 

Our vision for the new pedestrian and bicycle bridge is not only a new connection in London, but also a series of vibrant public urban spaces for all Londoners.

First we connect two urban parks on each side of the river.

One of the greatest challenges of a pedestrian bridge is they become solely instruments for moving people from a to b. We want to create two new public spaces on the Thames with a fantastic view to the city!

Instead of having two individual and separated parks, we have the possibility to combine both the existing parks and the two new public spaces on the bridge into a series of connected, vibrant urban spaces like beads on a string.

We wish to re-imagine the typical suspension bridge into a new landmark for the city. The idea behind the structural scheme is to create a new contemporary bridge using traditional bridge concepts.

Several frames are interconnected in a series of almost randomly placed horizontal links, giving the bridge the appearance of bare Elm branches.

The frames of the bridge create public spaces, framing different urban life and framing different panoramic views to the city.

The frame design allows the bridge to span 150 m and ensure the appropriate (12 m) clearance underneath.

 

While moving across the bridge, the frames act as structural elements suspending the bridge. At the same time they act as portals that both frame urban activities on the bridge and also frame an almost unlimited number of panoramic views of London.

The landing points for the bridge creates new urban spaces in Pimlico and in Nine Elms.

Both sides of the bridge are shaped as benches, giving London two new super-benches, each more than 200 meters long.

The bridge design can be divided into two simple design elements; A series of interconnected frames creating a suspension bridge and a wooden deck placed within these frame.

Two amphitheaters are created on the bridge. One is pressed slightly down, the other slightly up, allowing different views over the city.

All Images  © COBE

Project Facts

Location:London, United Kingdom

Client:The London Borough of Wandsworth

Program:Pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Thames

Size:250 m pedestrian and cycle bridge

Status:Competition in 2015

Collaborators:Arup, Cove5

Team:Dan Stubbergaard, Thomas Krarup, Mads Birgens Kristensen, Eik Bjerregaard, Hiroshi Kato, Steffen Ommundsen, Joachim Makholm Michelsen, Andy Minchev

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