Te Wero Bridge
Te Wero Bridge |
Te Wero Bridge design
Te Wero Bridge design
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| View of fully open bridge from inner Viaduct Harbour |
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A dramatic and distinctive bridge design has been chosen
as the winner of the Te Wero Bridge competition.
The winning team is
from Hyder Consulting, Denton Corker Marshall and Kenneth Grubb and
Associates.
This design is estimated to cost in the region of $51.2m to build.
A waterfront attraction
The council's competition challenged people
around the world to design an outstanding opening bridge on Auckland's
waterfront.
The judging panel agreed that this submission stood out from the others in
respect of its high level of design innovation and the unique way the twin
leaves opened.
The panel also noted that the profile of the opening leaves reflected yacht
hulls and the mast created a landmark which could be illuminated for special
events.
Play video of the bridge opening
View winning team's submission (1677k PDF)
Key design features
- responds to its harbour context and distant views with large-scale
distinctive cultural form and elegant profile
- vertical tower rises above yacht masts and creates a permanent gateway
feature to mark crossing point regardless of whether the bridge is open or
closed
- deck splits in two as it rises, with the leaves sweeping apart to come
to rest in a V configuration
- the longer, broader south leaf carries the two passenger transport lanes
while the north leaf is exclusively for pedestrians and cycles
- the three primary elements of differing length and width form an
asymmetric composition. When viewed from different angles, they create
infinite combinations of juxtapositions as the bridge leaves move towards
the mast.
Construction features
- lightweight deck and counterweight arrangement result in very low energy
use
- deck can be fabricated using local boat building expertise
- material selection gives excellent durability and low maintenance
regime.
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| The illuminated mast |
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A swing bridge, designed by a team from Wilkinson Eyre (UK) and Beca
(Auckland), was highly commended by the judging panels for its elegant design.
View runner-up design (1748k PDF)
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website.
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Updated August 2008