TIME: 2018
SCALE: 300 sqm
LOCATION: London, UK
STATUS: Competition
TEAM: Xing Xiong, Xiaya Chen, Dian Zhang, Lei Zhang, Yixuan Lin, Huaiyu Hua
RIBA The Footbridge Design Ideas Competition sought new ideas to help inform Network Rail in their design and installation of fully accessible pedestrian footbridges across the UK rail network.
Railways are like city fingers, why don’t we put a ring on it? Rather than a pure functional footbridge, we want to create a utilisable art piece. Contemporary yet timeless. Striking yet subtle. Functional yet sculptural. Floating yet rooted. The Ring will be the symbol of the U.K. railway, where people meet, reunion, kiss goodbye.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Ring provides steps, bicycle & luggage ramps on both sides, increase the traffic capacity. It also integrates a mechanical handicap lift system at inner circle. 12 lift units are constantly cycling to avoid congestions.
RING LIFT SYSTEM
The cable system carries 12 handicap lift units constantly running, while can be interrupted momentarily when handicap people get on and off at bottom. The cable system balances weight to save energy. Each lift unit is supported by the triangular structure and held upright while moving by the stabiliser tracks.
CUSTOMISATION
The ring can be customised to serve various locations and purposes by changing its shell. Fashion brands, institutions, artists or local agencies, each group can be involved by customizing their shell version. For example, Burberry can customise the shell to their latest design; Each station can carve its character on the local shell.
