marc mimram’s undulating design wins bath quays bridge competition
all images courtesy of bath & north east somerset council

 

 

 

paris-based engineer and architect marc mimram has been selected from a strong shortlist to complete a bridge spanning the river avon in the english town of bath. the bath quays bridge competition, which saw entries from amanda levete, grimshaw and heneghan peng, called for the design of a structure to link the river from green park road on the north side to the newark works buildings to the south.

 

the winning design for the new pedestrian and cycle crossing is called ‘between history and modernity’, and was submitted by the engineering and architectural consultancy of marc mimram, who led a team including UK-based engineering practice webb yates. the scheme was chosen by a panel of experts, along with council representatives and members of the public. judges praised the sensitivity of the project and were particularly struck by the unusual and elegant curvature and playful undulations of the design.

marc mimram bath quays bridge competition webb yates designboom
the scheme was chosen by a panel of experts, along with council representatives and members of the public

 

 

 

‘I have built bridges all over the world but it has long been my ambition to build in the UK and I’m excited to be doing so in bath,’ explained marc mimram. ‘the city’s history and relationship with the river avon has captivated me since my first visit and it was this that inspired our design for the bridge. bridges have the capacity to transform cities, to build not just physical ties between locations, but symbolic bonds within communities. while being firmly rooted in bath’s history and landscape this bridge connects bath’s two new business districts and allows the city to look forwards towards future growth and transformation.’

 

‘the new bridge is an essential component of the council’s plans to create a new business district, bath quays, in the city’s riverside quarter,’ commented leader of the council, tim warren. ‘a development of the scale of bath quays is a fantastic opportunity for bath to reinvent a somewhat overlooked corner and connect it with the vibrant and beautiful historic city.’

 

local authorities intend to submit a planning application for the new bridge in 2016 with a view to construction taking place during 2017.