Nine Elms to Pimlico Bridge

Our initial design concept for the Nine Elms Bridge is to create a minimal, seamless crossing of the Thames. The design is kept very legible and clear, immediately conveying its function; ‘where to go and what to do’.
The form of the bridge is expressive and consists of two elements – single spire masts that are placed close to each riverbank and an elegant winding deck that starts at ground level on the river banks and then ‘whisks people up and over to the other side’, clearing the entire river in a single span.
The masts, with their gilded tips will create a landmark at this curve in the river and make a new gateway between Pimlico and Nine Elms. The bridge deck will be sleek to allow for unobstructed views along or across the river, particularly of the listed Battersea Power Station, icon of the emerging Nine Elms district. Our design is intended to respond to the historic context of this part of London, with its tradition of church spires, weather vanes and the civic towers that define urban spaces and places.
The gently looping ramps at either end are generous in slope and width and will provide a 360 degree panorama of London as they climb to the crossing level. They are designed to be easily accessed and shared by all – pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, parent with prams, wheelchair users, everyone. In line with the best European practice, an intelligent lighting system, embedded into the bridge surface, will help manage the flow and safety of all the bridge users – a first in the UK.
The bridge has also been designed to have minimal physical and environmental impact, north and south of the river. The twin masts will have the smallest possible footprints in the river, limiting disruption to the ecologically sensitive river bed, the flow of the water around them and not impeding river traffic. By avoiding substantial land based structures, the concept also reduces the impact on the valuable public spaces at the landing points, avoiding the loss of trees along the river.
Lighting will be integrated into the handrail and deck and will provide safe crossing at night whilst ensuring undisturbed views of the water and the city. The simplicity of the bridge allows for the human scale elements to be of beauty and high quality. The whole effect will be to lift the bridge from a piece of necessary and functional infrastructure to a more ‘jewel like’ element within the landscape of the Thames, enhancing it’s sense of civic belonging in the city which it serves.