Environment

SPACE:  -> CULTURE-> BEHAVIOUR-> GREEN

Q:How does our bridge relate to the site?
A: Its structure mimics the effect that the architects wished to create, i.e the resemblance of an insect and a low impact design which does not distract from the rich distinct surrounding area of Canary Wharf.

Q: What is it's territory; does it negotiate or unite?
A: The very nature of a bridge is to unite, to connect two areas which were previously detached and 'distant' from each other. However, it can be said that this bridge in particular also negotiates, as the both areas that joined are extremely different, with different values and ideas that need to be respected.

Q: Is it dominant or passive?
A: One can argue that this bridge stands alone and fulfills a passive purpose. As we have witnessed it purely acts as its main function; a passage way across a boundary. Many people do not stop and observe the bridge and its surroundings but just blindingly walk to their destination. In terms of the environment, this role reverses. The spectacle of the lights across the handrails which illuminate at night creates an object that people stop and notice. It no longer is a service, but it becomes a landmark of it's environment.

Q: What behaviour and communication does it encourage?
A: A day has certain amount of hours that are associated with working routines. We go to work in the morning and tend to come back in the afternoon, meaning that the evening and night is left for our social commitments. This is led to a split in the personality of the bridge.
Having recorded the movement, behaviour and interaction of people with the bridge, we noticed that the rhythm is significantly different. During the day, people have a sole focus which is to get across the bridge as quickly as possible and with minor interruptions.

Whereas at night the environment becomes a social hub of activity. People begin to scan and consume its actual context.



Q: What are it's green credentials? 
A: Since this is not your typical energy consuming building, it does not have 'green credentials' in the same way. We believe that the structure has been made not as a temporary measure but as a long standing, long serving piece of architecture.  Even though it doesn't have any thermal qualities that consume electricity, the lighting that it does have are LED's and are energy efficient.

Cross-sectional view of Canary Wharf to West India Quay

                                                                       DAY

                                                                                      

                                                                                 

                               

NIGHT      

 left            right

One interesting thing we found at night was that only the lights on the left side of bridge were on. In this case it looks like there has been a cut through the middle of the bridge. Canary wharf is bright and modern, with beautiful bars along the riverside. All the buildings on this side are illuminated. However the other side of the bridge is dark without the illumination provided by the dotted light's, the buildings along that side were also very dark. This reminded us of one person we interviewed about the bridge who mentioned that she feels the bridge is like a connection between the rich and the poor.



Night shift

In the night, the light coming from the balustrades of the bridge looks like two long dotted lines that connect Canary Wharf and the West India Quay. People cannot see the bridge's actual structure, just the dotted lines created by the lights. This makes the bridge look dreamy, light and as if it is floating on the water. We felt the movement of the lights and the movement of bridge. But also the movement of the river, as well as the reflections of the lights along  with the people's movement.  We feel that the bridge is more active at night than in the day times, it feels much more alive.

Background

The bridge is located on the River Thames in London. It links two areas of very different style. On the one side is a vast commercial development, mainly made of concrete, stone block with glass.  On on the other side is the more delicate part, containing 19th century warehouses  with a quayside piazza, mainly made of bricks.

The architects designed the bridge as an insect touching the water as lightly as a water skater. They place an emphasis on the horizontal stretch of water. Thus, the two areas on each side are still separated although now there is a bridge between them.

In addition the architects use a very bright colour — lime green to coat the main body of the bridge. Making it become visible even though  it lies amongst huge buildings.

It's like a jigsaw...

HOW DO THINGS REALLY FIT TOGETHER?

As our location is a bridge and not a traditional building structure, the core elements of it must be a lot more sustainable and impervious.  The bridge itself is constructed with more of a technical aspect; it is joined with different materials that combine to form the basic skeleton of it. As a skeleton has many layers that form the body; the bridge too needs to be composed of these main aspects. The load-bearing, insulation and protective layers could be represented by bone, muscle and skin. This can be translated to our structure as being what holds and keeps it afloat. 

Foundations:

• Load-bearing layer = the tension piles which support the pontoons; these are the basis of the bridge
• Insulation = the pontoons themselves, as they keep the piles from damage
• Protective = the hand-rails that protect the pedestrians, and also the ridged texture of the walkway that creates a no-slip surface. 

In this way we can easily compare the bridge to that of a normal building. Like a house, it begins from the bottom supports, the foundations, and is built upwards using walls. Which in our case are the hand-rails of the bridge. However unlike buildings that have a clearly defined interior and exterior, our bridge has no perceptible distinctions between these two areas. It creates a metaphorical "bridge" between these two spatial fields. 

Does form follow function?

The bridge is located in quite an awkward place. There is another much larger bridge up the river to the right and to the left, the river is filled with mostly permanent boats. To get the bridge into place ,two different modes of transport were utilised as it was pre-fabricated. It was constructed in two halves and then moved to the Royal Albert Dock by road; from there the two sections were floated into place by a tug-boat. This seemingly complicated method of construction allows for the fact that it needed to be able to open hydraulically in the middle of the bridge. Otherwise if it was constructed on-site, half of the structure would be static in the air and unable to move.


Climate and Culture:


Since it is outside the bridge is subject to the environmental conditions of the area. This could mean wind, rain, storms and rising water-levels etc. Therefore it is made of heavyweight materials that can withstand these climatic changes and conditions. From personal experience we know that when in strong wind (combined with other forces being applied on the bridge) it rocks and bounces more so than usual. 

Since this in not a building that could have multiple functions, the bridge was designed with a specific purpose in mind. In particular, it is a footbridge which allows pedestrians to move between two very different worlds. A passage of communication and intertwining lifestyles. On the one hand, on Canary Wharf, you can see the buildings of one Canada Square, which is the heart of the  'banking' district, yet barely 80 metres across the river you have the West India Quay. This a very poor area, that nevertheless has retained its strong identity and connections to the docks of old London. It is a clash of two very different cultures.  

The outcome of this, is that these two distinct locations are slowly going to merge into one, all due to the fact that this bridge has allowed movement between them.

Movement:

                                

As the bridge reacts to the movement of the pedestrians crossing it, minor vibrations are created. The magnitude of these vibrations is determined by the volume of traffic crossing the bridge, i.e. in rush hours the bridge is busier and therefore the bridge is also "bouncier". This leads to minute movements which cannot be felt of detected unless you closely observe the small wheels on either end. Over time these very small movements have led to a disintegration of the rubber surface on the wheels.

 

CONSTRUCTION

 

These are some of the plan, section and construction details of the piling layout of the bridge that we managed to acquire from  the engineer's, Anthony Hunt Associates.

The piles that the pontoons and the bridge rest upon are partially submerged in the river bed. They cannot be seen, thus creating the image of 'The Floating Bridge'.

ENGINEER'S NOTES

This is a copy of the tension piling layout that we managed to obtain from the engineering firm, Anthony Hunt Associates, that designed and built the bridge along with Future Systems. The details on this show the specific locations of the piles along with other structural calculations and drawings.

STRUCTURE

Structure:

 The bridge consists of superstructure, substructure and spans.

Superstructure

The superstructure consists of the components that actually span the obstacle the bridge is intended to cross and includes the following:

1) Bridge deck

2) Structural members

3) Parapets (bridge railings), handrails, sidewalk, lighting and some drainage features

Substructure

The substructure consists of all of the parts that support the superstructure.

Span

A span is a segment of a bridge that crosses from one substructure unit to the next. This bridge consists of five spans.







Bridge Dimensions

The bridge itself is long and slightly tapered structure that gently curves across the river between the rich area of Canary Wharf and the relatively poor area of West India Quay. The main stipulation of the design competition was that no weight would be imposed onto the riversides or pavements. The winning design by Future Systems and Anthony Hunt Associates was a bridge that appeared to be “floating” on the river. The weight of the bridge is supported by six pontoons that are secured into the riverbed using light tension piles.

·          Slightly curved and tapering aluminium decking supported on four sets of tubular steel legs. 80m long.

·          They rest on mostly submerged pontoons which are held in place by light tension piles.

·          Supported by a set of X-shaped steel struts which are connected at an angle to a central spine beam.

·          Each set of x-shaped legs support two large pontoons, equalling 6 pontoons in total.

·          The splayed legs of the bridge are bolted to the central spine of the bridge; they end in conical shapes that are welded to the surface of the pontoons.

·          Only 500mm of the 2800mm pontoons are visible upon the water surface.  The remaining material of the pontoons are fixed to the river bed with steel piles.

·          The main tension of the weight of the bridge is held on the pontoons. Although it looks like the weight is distributed evenly across to the pavement – this is not correct. The structure of the bridge is only “resting” upon the surface of the said pavements.

Triangulated configurations work through axial loads only; sections are much lighter

Footpath:

Although the main decking of the bridge looks like one long curving structure it actually consists of three sections. Two curved edges that meet the pavement at both ends and one straight middle section. This split is to allow the hydraulic system to open the bridge in case of a passing boat. The handrails are supported within the decking and help protect the crossing pedestrians.

·          The decking section of the bridge is split into three sections. Two “curved” edges and one straight middle section. 

·          This middle section is 6600mm long and is part of a hydraulic system in order to allow the boats to pass through.

·          This hydraulic system works by a simple cantilever counterbalance which is controlled by the harbourmaster.

·          The decking itself is made from a 75mm deep aluminium box with a grooved pattern to create a non-slip surface for pedestrians

·          A balustrade of stainless steel cables connected with turnbuckles to steel T-shaped supports run the length of both sides of the bridge. These are supported within a steel frame on the floor.

Color of Material

This drawing show's the colour of the floating bridge. Colour is central to the concept of the design. 

First, the architects used lime-green, which is very bright, to make the skeleton of the bridge. Thus there is greater emphasis placed on the skeleton of the bridge, which makes the bridge look like an insect. Besides, bright colour's draw people's attention.

Secondly, the architects use very thin stainless steel to make the cables. The users are protected from falling into the water and at the same time, because they are very thin, they are almost invisible at long distances. In this case, the cables will not distract from the effect of the skeleton and structure.

Thirdly, the architects used black foam to make the pontoons. They vanish in the water because they are black.

Forthly, the lights in the sides have green tints. They look like a laser beam of light. They are harmonious with the skeleton of the floating bridge and can help to draw people's attention in the night. Whilst these lights in the deck are warmer and softer, they are suitable for users.

Collage Drawing of Material

This is the collage drawing to show the materials used in the bridge:

Methods we used to record the materials:

1. We used the clay to copy the texture of the wire rope; to record the material in a three dimentional way. Adjusting it to black and white expresses the coldness and the hardness of the iron.

2. We used charcoal pencil to make rubbings of cables and floor.

Cable

Floor

This is the pattern of floor; it's ridged surface makes it slip-resistant.

MAGNIFICATION...

THE CABLES+SUPPORT

DETAIL OF THE CABLE - Looking at this in further depth you can see a more intricate pattern of the cable, which appears to be made up of smaller sized cables, intertwined together forming a solid stable support.

DETAIL OF THE HYDRAULIC OPENING

WHERE IT JOINS THE WATERFRONT- This connection between the surface of the floor with the elevated platform of the bridge creates a superficial link of the ground and its support. The sides of the bridge seem to 'rest' on the pavement, passively and as if its 'one' continuous structure.

DETAILS

...

UNDER THE BRIDGE

DETAILS OF THE JOINS

FEELING

RUSTING OF THE PAINTWORK- At first the feeling and touch of the steel platform seemed like rubber. However, upon further inspection it was metal, which could also be identified by the rusting paintwork on the edges. 

DECEIVING MATERIALS- Both the  rails and the pontoon supports are made out of the same material. From a distance, the colour feature creates a fluid shape, which creates no distinction between the two. However, when one focuses closely and experiences the material, you can see that they are quite different, in shape, texture as well as the properties.

Sketch Illustration of Material and Notes

MATERIALITY.

                   Hand rail = COLD  SMOOTH  SMALL

               

                 LIGHTS LUKEWARM AND RIDGED

             The cables: rough, springy like a rubber band

                 PONTOONS ARE LIKE FLOATPLANES (they look hard

                   but are made of foam)

                

                  FLOOR = VERY cold...friction...guitar twang...rollarblades...loud...

                    It reflects like a mirror, or a body of water or glass.

         Decieving materials - we thought it was rubber or concrete

               but we realised it was metal as it was rusting at the edges....

MATERIALS USED

BRIDGE DECK: Aluminium with a grooved pattern for a non-slip surface for pedestrians.

BRIDGE LEGS: Splayed tubular steel

PONTOONS: Foam-filled

CABLES: Stainless steel with turnbuckles

HANDRAIL: Tubular stainless steel (containing sealed polycarbonate units containing miniature fluorescent tubes.)

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM: Stainless steel pistons and hydraulic cables.

History.

The floating bridge by Future Systems architects goes back from 1994. It first began as a design competition which would link the commercial development of Canary Wharf to the Victorian warehouses across the river by a pedestrian footbridge to West India Quay.The condition of the final design stipulated that no loads be imposed on either side of the waterfront.
Future Systems with Antony Hunt Associates won the competition with a design outcome which has been likened to a "insect water-skater". It lays low to the water which creates a minimum visual impact against the backdrop of both contrasting architectural and historical areas. Integral to the design is the colour features. At night the lighting lits it up like a horizontal ray of bright green light which reflects onto the water, creating an ethereal and electric atmosphere.

Concept (Bionic Architecture, Section, Elevation and Plan)

 The driving concept behind the design of the bridge is that of an insect. This is demonstrated below:

Section

Elevation and Plan

sketch of the bridge(front elevation)

end of journey.

This is just a short video documenting our final journey across the bridge. It records our personal movements and features of the bridges surrounding enviroment.

Scanning and sketching

interviews.

We wanted to do some further investigation into people's opinions and feelings about this bridge. Here is a short recording of one of our interviews with the locals of West India Quay and Canary Wharf...

Q. How often do you cross the bridge?
A. Once every three months...my husband works here.

Q. When is the bridge used more?
A. When it's sunny and warm, more people use it. During the day it's rather empty,
but when business hours it becomes a lot more busy.

One womans opinion on the bridge:
"it creates a boundary between the rich and the poor, Canary Wharf and West India Quay respectively...it also creates a channel of communication, we can get to areas that were previously unavailible to us...magical at night when it's lit up...before this bridge we had no way of getting across..."

These are background noises of the environment from our project site-The Floating Bridge. Moments of  people's interaction with the space around them and the bridge in particular.

footsteps.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/annesb18

On this Flickr photostream you will be able to find the collection of all the photo's we took from our visit to the site of the Floating Bridge. We have used this photos to help us document and investigate this further.

floating bridge details