Submission #12 CLOSE
The Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative Inc, Williams Engineering Canada, and Mulvey + Banani International (Alberta) Inc. (Calgary)
The conceptual design for St. PatrickÃs bridge is based on the philosophical belief that the bridge will form an integral aspect of the emergent landscape, communityscape and cityscape of the Rivers District, and that its potential to become an indispensable icon for Calgary is based on its capacity to be orchestrated within the new context and act as a catalyst for the further development of this area. The bridge, therefore, is conceived not as an imposition on the landscape, but an amplification of the existing potentials of this site for Calgarians and the world.†In this way, the design will remain timeless and a critical extension of the daily lives of the citizens of our city.
The design of the bridge utilizes the contemporary and efficient structural system of a stress ribbon in concert with a reinforced concrete arch that allows a sublime profile and the opportunity for transformation along the bridgeÃs length in order to maximize the opportunities for visitor and public amenities.†The bridge design incorporates the following themes:
Multiple Accessibility and Connectivity.†The designed relationship between the stress ribbon and the concrete arch allows for two types of connectivity at each touchdown point.†Specifically, both the ribbon and the arch provide means of connection, with the ribbon facilitating the most direct connection across the Bow River and the arch allowing for a more meandering connection between the new riverÃs edge recreation spaces currently under construction along the south bank, our designÃs proposed green infrastructure beach at the west end of the island, and the north bank.†This is achieved through the manner in which the ribbon opens at the center of its width to allow pedestrian passage from along the top of the arch onto the ribbon, while maintaining two 2.5 metre clear spaces, one for pedestrians and the other for cyclists.†This multiple connectivity allows for infinite means by which the bridge can provide value for the community.
Site-Specificity, Scale and the Iconic.†The design process searched to develop site-specific strategies that allowed the bridge to be a catalyst for the enjoyment of the new Rivers District context.†In this manner, the design, although legible as a whole, transforms to offer different qualities dependent on the context.†Starting from the south, the design simply and quietly connects to the new landscape design of this area, providing connection to both the lower riverbank promenade through access along the top of the arch structure and to the upper pathway system via access to the ribbon.†Here, the bridge design utilizes the existing storm water management system ponds.†Moving northwards, the bridge gently rises to meet the minimum clearances and culminates in a refined ribbon of concrete and a clear width of 7 metres that generously provides opportunities for westward vistas to the city, eastward to the historic Fort Calgary and St. GeorgeÃs Island, or a gregarious view on the new outdoor water recreation room below.
In the overall design of the bridge, there is also a tower feature at the north end. The top of the tower feature will also be illuminated with LED washer fixtures to create an identifiable landmark within the City at night. Also, since Calgary offers one of the highest daylights hours for cities in Canada, the south facing tower is designed to incorporate photovoltaic (PV) panels. The PV panels will be used to generate energy in the daylight hours, with battery energy storage having been considered in the proposed design as well. This stored energy will be accessed as required by the lighting of the bridge. The use of efficient LED lighting for a majority of the design has been selected to optimize the percentage of the final lighting load that can be handled by the PV system.
