This competition was directed by Louise Harrison whilst at the RIBA Competitions Office.
The competition was for a new pedestrian bridge across Rochdale canal.
Winners
Gollifer Langston Architects
Process
Two stage design competition with stage 1 open and stage 2 limited to 4 invited teams.
Our involvement
- Designing the right competitive process
- Advertising the competition in print and on-line media
- Writing the competition rules
- Appointing an Architect Assessor to join the judging panel
- Planning the competition timetable and budget to meet client requirements
- Acting as point of contact for the competition
- Ensuring a clear and ethical process
- Briefing the jury panel
- Briefing competitors
- Managing the competitive process
- Arranging and facilitate interviews and presentations
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Creating an audit trail
- Assisting with press and media enquiries and coverage
- Competition administration
- Debriefing and follow up
Facts
- This competition did not fall within EU legislation and therefore a simple 2stage format was followed allowing simple ideas to be submitted at stage 1 and refined at stage 2
- Urban Splash actively promote competitions requesting minimum input from teams often asking for single A1 or A2 design boards. Stage 1 submissions for this project were limited.
- The bridge links the mills andwarehouses of Ancoats Urban Village and New Islington, connecting three footpaths coming in at different directions and different levels.
- A 500 tonne crane was used to place the bridge into position.
- To reflect Manchester’s urban culture the words ‘Cast No Shadow’ are stencilled to the underside of the bridge; the title of an Oasis song written by Noel Gallagher. The words are written in reverse to reflect the correct way round in the water.