A different kind of bridge than the ones we are used to, has been created by the team of Heatherwicκ design studio. The designers were asked to produce a pedestrian bridge which will be located in a canal so it has to open in order to allow access to the boat and at the same time be functional and interesting in matters of design. The team chose a sculptural approach, the bridge is straight but when it is time to move it rolls so as to transform into a circular masterpiece. The so called Rolling Bridge is located in Grand Union Canal at Paddington Basin, and has won a number of awards including a Structural Steel Award, and an Emerging Architecture Award. Established by Thomas Heatherwick in 1994, Heatherwick Studio is recognized for its work in architecture, urban infrastructure, sculpture, design and strategic thinking. Today a team of 120, including architects, designers and makers work from a combined studio and workshop in Kings Cross, London. In 2013 Thomas Heatherwick was awarded a CBE for his services to the design industry.
Text: Karagiorgou Ioanna
