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A new landmark bridge,designed by Hakes Associates Architects in association with Buro Happold,was recently granted planning permission from Bristol City Council.The Mobius Bridge at Finzels Reach,Bristol,will provide a pedestrian and cycle connection from Finzels Reach to Castle Park.
The Finzels Reach site in Bristol presents a unique set of site conditions that have had a direct impact on the design of the new river crossing.In particular the delicate archaeological sites on both sides of the river have fundamentally influenced the form of the bridge.
In response to these constraints,The Mobius Bridge at Finzels Reach design is based on a dynamic,continuous tied structure that will be completely independent from either riverbank,both physically and structurally,with no impact on the archaeological remains.
The Mobius Bridge at Finzels Reach will create a modern sculptural element placed between the two banks.Its structure exhibits an intriguing mix of simplicity and complexity.The deck,arch and pier are fabricated as a tubular framed ladder truss and expressed as a singular seamless,twisting element,giving the design both structural economy and lightness.
The bridge takes its name from the mathematical form that describes a single-edged and single sided surface.A Mobius is created by twisting one end of a strip 180 degrees before joining the two ends together to make a loop.As the surface and edge of a Mobius are continuous they are infinite and therefore a Mobius is often associated with the infinity symbol.
The geometry,generated by the site and forces within the bridge,is challenging and is in stark contrast to many reductive engineering solutions that dominated bridge design in the late 20th century.
When completed,the Mobius Bridge at Finzels Reach will be an instantly recognisable and unique landmark;a symbol for the regeneration of this area of Bristol.The Mobius Bridge does not merely connect one bank to another – it defines a space that is caught between the ground and sky.
The bridge is part of the £200 million Finzels Reach development by international property specialists,HDG Mansur.The new waterside site,designed by Sheppard Robson,includes residential apartments, office,retail,leisure,bar and restaurant space,as well as a micro- brewery.
