Castle Green Bridge

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

这beautifully detailed pedestrian bridge fulfils the requirement to provide DDA compliant access across the historical moat at Taunton Castle, UK. The possible presence of archaeologically significant artefacts in the moat area, coupled with limited access for maintenance and the need to minimise visual impact, resulted in the adoption of a slender reinforced concrete continuous beam solution. The foundations are designed as flexible ‘piles within piles’ with a Bentonite seal, allowing limited lateral movement. Since the final support positions were uncertain until excavation took place, the bridge deck spine was designed to accommodate varying forces resulting from unequal span conditions. The edges of the tapering deck chamfer down to a constant thickness of 110mm, allowing the installation of laminated glass balustrades and walking surfaces that are lit from below – enhancing the impression of lightness and delicacy.

法官的评论:

The success of this delightfully unobtrusive structure within a highly sensitive setting bears testament to the ingenious yet functional thinking of the structural engineer. The careful choice of form and materials, coupled with the judicious use of feature lighting, give the bridge a high-quality, magical feel while enabling it to harmonise with its surroundings.