This competition called for architects from across the globe to come forward with exceptional, inspiring designs for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Thames, in the heart of London.
Winners
Preferred Bidder Bystrup Architecture Design and Engineering with Robin Snell & Partners, Sven Ole Hansen ApS, Aarsleff and ÅF Lighting
The other shortlisted teams were:
Buro Happold Ltd with Marks Barfield Architects, J&L Gibbons Landscape Architects, Gardiner and Theobald
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd with AL_A, Gross Max, Equals Consulting and Movement Strategies
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd with Hopkins Architects and Grant Associates
Process
This competition was run through the OJEU procurement process, using a competitive dialogue.
Around 80 teams from all corners of the world submitted Expressions of Interest, of these 74, delivered an approach to design for consideration by the Jury Panel. Public exhibitions were held, showcasing the design element of each submission. Comments from the public, and from the Technical Panel were given to the members of the Jury to inform their selection of a shortlist.
Four shortlisted teams were paid an honorarium to undertake initial design ideas and submit a formal tender. Following another round of public exhibitions and interviews with the Jury Panel, a winner was selected.
Our involvement
- Defining the parameters for success and designing the competitive process for agreement with the Bridge Strategy Group
- Creating the competition brief and outlining the rules of engagement, including programme and budget
- Managing the OJEU processes and creating the audit trail
- Acting as point of contact for the competition; ensuring a clear and ethical process
- Advertising the competition appropriately, including creating a competition website
- Researching and identifying potential competitors; acting as the point of contact for all competitors
- Helping to create a balanced and knowledgeable jury panel and identifying appropriate technical advisors
- Briefing the jury panel and technical advisors including advice on scoring/evaluation procedures
- Helping to evaluate submissions
- Arranging and facilitating interviews and presentations
- Maintaining confidentiality and anonymity as required
- Managing the competitive process including all registrations, interviews, report writing, taking minutes, administration etc.
- Debriefing and follow up
Facts
- The Jury was chaired by Graham Stirk, Senior Partner at RSHP, other jurors included: Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council; Cllr Joanne Simpson, Councillor of Lambeth Council; Henry Bardsley, Engineers and; Pam Alexander, Chair of Cabe at the Design Council
- The Jury was supported by a Technical Panel that included representatives from Wandsworth Borough Council; Westminster City Council; Lambeth Borough Council; The Port of London Authority; Transport for London and; the GLA.
- A parallel competition, also managed by Colander, was run in local primary and secondary schools in Wandsworth and Lambeth. The overall winner was St Mary's R.C. Primary School
- At each stage of the competition, public exhibitions were held on both the north and the south shores. At the first stage, written comments were received from 680 people and these were fed into the shortlisting process; a further 120 comments were received at the final shortlisting stage.
"The combination of skills and expertise that Caroline and Louise have is fantastic. They brought a fresh approach to the competition reflecting a real understanding of the challenge we set – not just in design and technical terms but also about the people involved. A joy to work with!"
— Helen Fisher, Nine Elms Programme Director