NR/RIBA Footbridge Design Ideas Competition

[whole diary]

[stuving]

We seem to have missed the Network Rail/RIBA^» (Royal Institute of British Architects - about) Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, which was launched last June. The winners have just been announced, and they are Gottlieb Paludan Architects, DK with Strasky, Husty and Partners Ltd, CZ.


There was also a highly commended scheme from Hawkins\Brown with WSP, for a "modular 'kit of parts' that would enable a standardised bridge system to be adapted via the use of simple pre-fabricated, clip-on modular elements to different contexts and settings ranging from the historic and rural to the large scale urban interchange, with the footbridge being conceived as a social engine focussed on people and place".


More details via the link.

[Western Pathfinder]

Any of the above would be welcome at Pilning. However I don't think Santa's sack is quite that big.

[Red Squirrel]

...a bold, elegant and uncluttered response that it was felt would create an uplifting experience...

Won't the lifts provide an uplifting experience?

...the footbridge being conceived as a social engine focussed on people and place.

...or failing that you could just use it to get to the other platform...

[Bmblbzzz]

Underwhelmed. I suppose it's nice to have a roof but it really looks like hundreds of other footbridges.

[JayMac]

... social engine...

What on earth is one of them?

[ellendune]

There was also a highly commended scheme from Hawkins\Brown with WSP, for a "modular 'kit of parts' that would enable a standardised bridge system to be adapted via the use of simple pre-fabricated, clip-on modular elements to different contexts and settings ranging from the historic and rural to the large scale urban interchange, with the footbridge being conceived as a social engine focussed on people and place".

Turnouts are a bit tight on those lines - clearances might be a bit tricky. 

[Bmblbzzz]

... social engine...

What on earth is one of them?

I reckon it means a place, building, structure or installation intended to facilitate and encourage interactions between people, both strangers and known.

[SandTEngineer]

... social engine...

What on earth is one of them?

I reckon it means a place, building, structure or installation intended to facilitate and encourage interactions between people, both strangers and known.

You forgot one of these at the end of your post:

[stuving]

... social engine...

What on earth is one of them?

Any engine apart from one running light, perhaps?

[Red Squirrel]

I reckon it means a place, building, structure or installation intended to facilitate and encourage interactions between people, both strangers and known.

You remind me of something I read a long time ago, about the Leas Lift in Folkestone; it was a rather ancient encyclopaedia entry which described how the lift was constructed 'to facilitate intercourse between the beach and the promenade'... you had to be fairly quick, I can tell you!

[Bmblbzzz]

I reckon it means a place, building, structure or installation intended to facilitate and encourage interactions between people, both strangers and known.

You remind me of something I read a long time ago, about the Leas Lift in Folkestone; it was a rather ancient encyclopaedia entry which described how the lift was constructed 'to facilitate intercourse between the beach and the promenade'... you had to be fairly quick, I can tell you!

As you say, I'm too ancient for that now but my experience is encyclopaedic! 

[eightonedee]

   
   
Re: NR^» (Network Rail - home page)/RIBA^» (Royal Institute of British Architects - about) Footbridge Design Ideas Competition
« Reply #6 on: Yesterday at 03:48:02 pm »
Reply with quoteQuote
Quote from: bignosemac on Yesterday at 01:34:18 pm
Quote
... social engine...

What on earth is one of them?
I reckon it means a place, building, structure or installation intended to facilitate and encourage interactions between people, both strangers and known.

Do you mean it's a place you might be mugged if it's not adequately lit?

I would hope they would concentrate on important issues like - how quickly and cheaply can they be assembled? How do they cater for the mobility impaired? How good is the shelter for passengers from wind and rain? What are the whole life costs (lifespan & durability, repair and maintenance costs etc)?

[martyjon]

   
   
Re: NR^» (Network Rail - home page)/RIBA^» (Royal Institute of British Architects - about) Footbridge Design Ideas Competition
« Reply #6 on: Yesterday at 03:48:02 pm »
Reply with quoteQuote
Quote from: bignosemac on Yesterday at 01:34:18 pm
Quote
... social engine...

What on earth is one of them?
I reckon it means a place, building, structure or installation intended to facilitate and encourage interactions between people, both strangers and known.

Do you mean it's a place you might be mugged if it's not adequately lit?

I would hope they would concentrate on important issues like - how quickly and cheaply can they be assembled? How do they cater for the mobility impaired? How good is the shelter for passengers from wind and rain? What are the whole life costs (lifespan & durability, repair and maintenance costs etc)?

I thought I saw provisions in this modular design for a lift.

[stuving]

 Well, that didn't lead on to many bridges, did it? But Network Rail did, apparently, let a contract last year for a new, pretty, quick-to-build footbridge. How they chose the lead designers, Knight Architects, isn't clear (I see no further competition).

Anyway, the result was unveiled this week at the New Civil Engineer "Future of Bridges" conference, and a prototype is on show now at "Rail Live 2021", being held at Long Marston. In the pictures it's certainly way more elegant than the standard clunky Network rail thing. How well it's going to look, feel, and last in real life is another matter - it's largely made of plastic.  I did see the word "cheaper" too, but nothing so uncouth as a number.

It 's modular, so you can put in stairs, ramps, or lifts as required - though the CGI^▸ (Computer-Generated Imagery) (and the Long Marston example) have stairs, so how those long ramps are going to be fitted in isn't explained (and that's really why the current NR^» (Network Rail - home page) standard steel monster is so overbearing). For more details of what they are calling the NR "Flow bridge" :

The project challenged the design team to find a way to deliver a user-focused footbridge that is not only cheaper but quicker to produce than a steel equivalent, and adaptable to a wide range of locations. By using a range of modern composites, the different properties of which are tailored to their location and structural function, the design concept achieves a lightweight, strong and cost-effective solution.

Improvements to the bridge geometry and parapets allow for a radically enhanced user experience, when compared to the standard through-girder. A modular concept design was developed in fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) using parametric modelling tools, which allowed for a highly collaborative process and real-time design evolution. The result is a standardised product which accurately reflects the concept, whilst offering a variety of configurations to respond to site specific characteristics.

The innovative procurement process meant concept to completion of full-size prototype took less than a year and was achieved largely remotely.

[Lee]

Well, that didn't lead on to many bridges, did it? But Network Rail did, apparently, let a contract last year for a new, pretty, quick-to-build footbridge. How they chose the lead designers, Knight Architects, isn't clear (I see no further competition).

Anyway, the result was unveiled this week at the New Civil Engineer "Future of Bridges" conference, and a prototype is on show now at "Rail Live 2021", being held at Long Marston. In the pictures it's certainly way more elegant than the standard clunky Network rail thing. How well it's going to look, feel, and last in real life is another matter - it's largely made of plastic.  I did see the word "cheaper" too, but nothing so uncouth as a number.

It 's modular, so you can put in stairs, ramps, or lifts as required - though the CGI^▸ (Computer-Generated Imagery) (and the Long Marston example) have stairs, so how those long ramps are going to be fitted in isn't explained (and that's really why the current NR^» (Network Rail - home page) standard steel monster is so overbearing). For more details of what they are calling the NR "Flow bridge" :

The project challenged the design team to find a way to deliver a user-focused footbridge that is not only cheaper but quicker to produce than a steel equivalent, and adaptable to a wide range of locations. By using a range of modern composites, the different properties of which are tailored to their location and structural function, the design concept achieves a lightweight, strong and cost-effective solution.

Improvements to the bridge geometry and parapets allow for a radically enhanced user experience, when compared to the standard through-girder. A modular concept design was developed in fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) using parametric modelling tools, which allowed for a highly collaborative process and real-time design evolution. The result is a standardised product which accurately reflects the concept, whilst offering a variety of configurations to respond to site specific characteristics.

The innovative procurement process meant concept to completion of full-size prototype took less than a year and was achieved largely remotely.

How long before that photo gets superimposed over one of Pilning Station...