The site for the new bridge – The Meadows – covers seven hectares and forms the northern section of the Irwell River Park (IRP) project. The proposed new bridge will connect this site to the £650m redevelopment of Salford Central, the University of Salford and Peel Park.
RIBA adviser Renato Benedetti said that the winning entry was “poetic, innovative and elegantly engineered with sinuous curves seamlessly linking the Meadows with the new public space to be created. Its sculptural qualities ensure it will be a joy to look at and to use, becoming an inspirational new urban marker for Salford."
Salford mayor Ian Stewart said: “The winner’s entry clearly stood out for its bold design. It could become an iconic centrepiece for the area. We will now be working with our partners to find the funding to create this stunning new bridge in the heart of Salford that will add to the city’s global reputation.”
Mike Tonkin of Tonkin Liu commented on their win “We are very excited about taking forward our project on this beautiful site, a place-making project that encompasses architecture, landscape and cutting-edge engineering. Our biomimetic design has grown out of many years of research with Ed Clark's engineering team at Arup and will bring together many facets of our fascination with nature.”
Overall, the competition received 172 submissions from 31 countries. Tonkin Liu with Arup was selected from a shortlist that also included: Atelier Zündel Cristea; Mott MacDonald with Moxon Architects; and Wolfgang Buttress Studio with Toby Savage Design and LDA Design.
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