1 st Place Winner, July 2006
Sponsor: Bristol University/ New Civil Engineer magazine/ Environment Agency, UK
Sponsor: Bristol University/ New Civil Engineer magazine/ Environment Agency, UK
In 2006 Bristol University launched an international ideas competition to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. A re-run of the original competition that Brunel had won in 1831 with his famous masterpiece: the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
The new competition challenged participants to draw up an innovative but practical design utilizing the technologies, materials, and practices of the 21st century.
The leaf-inspired concept was stimulated by a question: “Is it possible that structure would have the sense of nature? Why wouldn’t it if nature itself has got the sense of structure?”
The aim was to introduce a design harmonizing with the surrounding beautiful scenery that it would raise public awareness of the beauty of structure. This was later confirmed by the overwhelming public support the proposal received in an anonymous voting between the seven shortlisted entries, before deciding the winner.
Selected from above 100 professional individual and team entries, the design won over the judging panel for its “lightness, elegance and transparency.”
“The design inspires a feeling of soaring- almost bird like - above the Avon,” said the judges, led by design gurus Michel Virlogeux, Mark Whitby and Jim Eyre. “It certainly takes advantage of the rocky site and seems to enhance the depth of the gorge.”
The Clifton Crossing Competition was a resounding success. It definitely has achieved its goal to commemorate Brunel. With different categories for adults, engineering students and even schoolchildren, it attracted over 600 entries from across the world. Thanks to Professor Colin Taylor from Bristol University, the man behind the competition, his efforts turned the competition from a local event to an international celebration.
For more information visit:
Selected from above 100 professional individual and team entries, the design won over the judging panel for its “lightness, elegance and transparency.”
“The design inspires a feeling of soaring- almost bird like - above the Avon,” said the judges, led by design gurus Michel Virlogeux, Mark Whitby and Jim Eyre. “It certainly takes advantage of the rocky site and seems to enhance the depth of the gorge.”
The Clifton Crossing Competition was a resounding success. It definitely has achieved its goal to commemorate Brunel. With different categories for adults, engineering students and even schoolchildren, it attracted over 600 entries from across the world. Thanks to Professor Colin Taylor from Bristol University, the man behind the competition, his efforts turned the competition from a local event to an international celebration.
For more information visit:
