SELECTED PROJECTS
ROTHERHITHE BRIDGE
Client – Self Start Project
Proposed as the first bridge across the river in London to the East of Tower Bridge, it will provide a vital link between the residential area of Rotherhithe and the business district of Canary Wharf. The carefully designed counterbalance bascule structure requires minimal energy to open, and will close automatically under self load.
Based on a self-start design concept by Reimagine’s Managing Director,
Nik Randall, this unique pedestrian and cycle crossing has been developed in collaboration with Elliott Wood Partnership, and cost management advice from Arup.
“A remarkable scheme”, and “an impressive contribution to social and physical connectivity.” AR MIPIM Future Projects Award – Judges Comment
CHELMER BRIDGE
Client – Buro Happold (for Chelmsford City Council)
Chelmer Waterside is an area of former industrial land that is being redeveloped to provide 1,100 new homes.
A new bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles was required to improve connectivity and avoid congestion on the existing network, receiving Planning Permission in June 2021.
BALLINGDON BRIDGE
Client – Suffolk County Council
Formed from large pre-cast concrete units this technically demanding project responds to its sensitive setting with a calm, gentle form.
The structure is deceptively light, with feet that appear to barely touch the surface of the water. Crash protection is provided by a system of purpose designed bollards and balustrades which enable almost uninterrupted views to and from the nearby water meadow.
“This project is an excellent example of how local consultation achieved positive results in difficult circumstances. There was strong community involvement…A very good design was also achieved.”
CABE Building Sights Award
THAMES BARRIER CROSSING
Client – Confidential
In 2016, working with Elliott Wood Partnership, we proposed a pedestrian and cycle crossing alongside the existing Thames Barrier to connect the communities on either side of the river, stimulate investment and reduce car use. The short opening spans, formed from a kit-of-parts of repeat components, coordinate with the existing barrier structure, minimising cost whilst maintaining the existing navigation of the river.
The project was in response to the fact that there have been no new bridges across the Thames in London to the east of London Bridge since Tower Bridge in 1894. This lack of connectivity has divided the communities on either side of the river and hindered the prosperity of East London.
MAKKAH INTERCHANGE
Client - Confidential
The annual Haj attracts millions of worshipers each year, putting extreme pressure on the transport systems. This proposal will form a vital park-and-ride interchange, minimising car use and pollution. The canopy is an open lattice diaphragm, creating a ‘structure-free’ appearance, whilst providing patterned shade and free airflow. Refreshment and rest facilities are provided by a series of ‘boulders’ scattered across the tiled concourse.
Nik Randall of Reimagine architects, said;
“Our lattice diaphragm concept is flexible and can be configured to create almost any plan shape. It is the generator for a family of smaller bus stations within the city, each responding to the challenges of its specific site.”
THAMES WATER TOWER
Client – Thames Water
This innovative tower of glass and steel was built primarily to house a vital surge-pipe on Thames Water’s ring main: an unseen marvel of hydro-engineering delivering fresh water for London.
Its other function is as a public barometer, forecasting the weather to the passing traffic and acting as an important local landmark.
ISLAND BRIDGE
Client - Buro Happold
Connecting the mainland to a resort island, we designed this bridge to be low level and low key, in keeping with the environment in which it sits. It provides a vital link and services route, but has also been conceived as a pier, taking visitors to leisure destinations and unique sea-based experiences along its 2.9km length.
The bridge widens at three locations, where autonomous vehicles will drop and collect visitors to pause and enjoy the view. Shaded by cloud-like canopies, these areas are the arrival point for those using the island-like pontoons floating on the sea below, which will provide facilities for snorkelling, diving, canoeing and swimming.
The form and structure of the bridge has been developed with Buro Happold Engineers to emphasise the wide horizon and low landscape. Other than the isolated canopies, there is no structure above the horizontal deck, whose slim edge section is angled to reflect the sun, whilst the structure below is cast into shadow.
This bridge goes beyond infrastructure and will become a destination in its own right.
THE TREE LINE
Client – Self-Start Project
Developed with engineers Elliott Wood Partnership in early 2020, Tree Line is a reconfigurable elevated walkway structure for large scale outdoor events.
Initially conceived in response to the impending pandemic, Tree Line provides raised areas for viewing, enabling events to enjoy higher visitor numbers whilst reducing crowd density.
The design aids crowd management, while offering exciting new viewpoints for visitors and new creative opportunities for organisers.
RAINBOW GATEWAY
Client – Confidential
Our client’s brief was to create a sense of arrival for visitors to a new resort destination. We proposed creating a rainbow.
The location of the viewer and the position of the sun are both known. When the relationship between the two allows, water would be pumped to the top of a slender mast, and sprayed at high pressure to create a dome of fine mist to create a rainbow gateway.
A major concern was the corosive impact of the sea water. In consultation with companies providing fire-suppression systems for North Sea oil-rigs, we identified existing technologies that reliably overcome this vital issue.