Infinity Loop Bridge China, Zhuhai Shizimen Bridge Design, Chinese Building Competition
Infinity Loop Bridge, China : Zhuhai Shizimen Bridge Competition
Zhuhai Shizimen Bridge Development design by 10 Design + Buro Happold
8 Feb 2012
Design: 10 Design + Buro Happold
Infinity Loop Bridge – Zhuhai Shizimen Bridge Competition
Location: adjacent to Macau, (just west of Hong Kong), southern China
image courtesy of architects office
Zhuhai Shizimen Bridge
10 DESIGN and Buro Happold have won the international design competition for the key signature gateway bridge for the new Shizimen Business District in Zhuhai, China. The feature bridge is the gateway entry to south China’s new planned commercial hub and also marks the connection of the Shizimen Canal to the Pearl River Delta.
image courtesy of architects practice
Working together in one of their first collaborations the 10 and Buro Happold team set out to create a simple and elegant structural solution for a bridge that would be a visual focal point both within the Shizimen District itself and along the Pearl River Delta coastline.
pictures from architects
The winning bridge scheme proposes an undulating ribbon of structure that wraps around the 6 lane road deck in a continuous sculptural loop form. At low levels the loop cradles the road deck, with the structural ribbon then soaring upwards to create 2 triangulated arch forms.
pictures from architects
These triangular gateways, one primary and one secondary, support the road deck over 2 separate distinct spans via suspension cables. The primary triangulated gate is 100m in height and by diagonally crossing the deck of the bridge celebrating not only the crossing of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, but also the meeting point of the canal with the Pearl River Delta.
pictures from architects
The continuity of the loop structure is visible from the opposite mainland shoreline to the west, and appears as a dramatic free standing infinity loop.
Complex coastline conditions created an odd and asymmetric span, however we realized that by tying 2 simple parabolic arches together in a single ribbon form we could split the bridge into 2 simpler spans. Thereby keeping a rational structure while making a strong formal statement, in that the bridge when reflected off the water created a double 8 figure, a sign of prosperity in Chinese culture.
As well as the gateway bridge the team was also placed 2nd & 3rd in the competition for two of the 4 secondary bridges crossing the canal.
pictures from architects
Zhuhai Shizimen Bridge – Building Information
Architects: 10 Design
Design Team – 10 Design
Design Partners: Gordon Affleck & Adrian Boot
Team: David Emmer, Colin Ashton, Adrian Boot, Carlo Maria Ciampoli, Frisly Collop, Phil Gray, Magic Kwan, Mike Kwok, Jon Martin & Rob Rodriguez
Design Team – Buro Happold Kien Hoang, Hayden Nuttall
Infinity Loop Bridge – Zhuhai Shizimen Bridge Competition images / information from 10 Design
Location: Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
Zhuhai Buildings by 10 Design
Contemporary Zhuhai Architecture by 10 Design – architectural selection on e-architect below:
Industrial Service Centre in Jinwan Aviation City
image courtesy of architects office
Industrial Service Centre in Jinwan Aviation City
The Shizimen CBD In Zhuhai
picture from architects office
Huafa International Seafront Garden Zhuhai
Jinwan Aviation City Research & Development Center
picture from architects office
Jinwan Aviation City Research & Development Center
Gaoxin Hi-Tech Commercial Hub
Architects: 10 Design
Gaoxin Hi-Tech Commercial Hub
Zhuhai Architecture
Contemporary Architecture in Zhuhai – recent selection:
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for HK Port
Architects: Aedas and RSHP
image courtesy of architects
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for HK Port
Jiuzhou Bay Waterfront Neighborhood
Design: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
image © ATCHAIN
New Waterfront Neighborhood for Zhuhai
Architecture in China
China Architecture Designs – chronological list
Chinese Architect Studios – Design Office Listings
Recent Chinese building designs by 10 Design on e-architect:
Dalian Planning Museum Competition
Dalian Planning Museum
Yabao Hi-Tech Enterprises Headquarter Park, Shenzhen, south east China
10 Design
Yabao Hi-Tech Enterprises Headquarter Park Shenzhen
Southern Chinese Architecture – Selection
China Southern Airport City, Guangzhou
Design: Woods Bagot
China Southern Airport City Guangzhou
Guangzhou Opera House, Guangzhou
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects
Guangzhou Opera House
Shenzhen 4 in 1 Tower Buildings Design
Design: MVRDV, Architects
Shenzhen 4 in 1 Towers
Comments / photos for the Infinity Loop Bridge – Zhuhai Shizimen Bridge Competition in southern Guangdong province, southern China page welcome