New marvels of architecture continue to astound us. Impressive architecture is not only about skyscrapers, also, it encompasses bridges, making an astonishing architectural leap forward. After taking a peak at some of today’s most impressive bridges, be sure to book great hotel deals to these amazing destinations.

Millau Viaduct

Winner of the 2006 IABSE Outstanding Structure Award, Millau Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world. The enormous cable-stayed road-bridge spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France. Designed by structural engineer, Michel Virlogeux and British architect, Norman Foster, it is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world, yet another reason to book faulous hotels in Paris, rent a car and take a road trip via the Millau Viaduct.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Nicknamed the Blinking Eye, Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the world’s only tilting bridge, opening and closing similar to an eyelid in order for ships on the River Tyne to pass through. The award-winning structure was conceived and designed by architects, Wilkinson Eyre and structural engineer, Gifford. After finding hotels in London, you can take a trip between Gateshead on the south bank and the Quayside of Newcastle upon Tyne on the north bank to enjoy this marvelous bridge.

Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay

Book hotels in California and visit the cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge for bicycles and pedestrians. The bridge spans the Sacramento River in Redding, California, and forms the world’s largest sundial. The bridge was designed by Santiago Calatrava, and completed in 2004 at a cost of $23,500,000. Fishermen manning fish boats, are often seen passing beneath the bridge while fishing for salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout.

Donghai Bridge

Donghai Bridge is the longest cross sea structure in the world; it connects Shanghai’s Luchao Port to the Yangshan Islands in the East China Sea. The bridge was completed on December 10, 2005 and is a total length of 32.5 kilometers. Most of the bridge is a low-level viaduct. There are also cable-stayed sections to allow for the passage of large ships. The largest is a span of 420 m. Find hotels in Beijing, the capital of China, and visit one of the world’s most wonderful architectural marvels.

These bridges of the new millennium spanning across the greatest destinations are definitely worth a visit.

Images Sourced from: www.wikipedia.com

A self-guided tour of some mind-blowing design in the Old World.

Okay, I admit it: I’m a geek. If I hadn’t become a writer, I might have been an engineer. How many other professions require you to “think outside the box” — just to come up with a new one?

Thames Barrier, least of London, UK

Just another reason — as if I needed one — to visit Europe.

When we Americans look across the Atlantic, we usually think of history. Let’s face it, we don’t call it the “Old World” for nothing. That’s what happens when your recorded past tracks back to Roman times.

But there’s a lot more to Europe than antiquity, including four seriously state-of-the-art pieces of engineering that are every bit as worthy of your vacation time, and they’re already on my ever-growing travel to-do list.

Three of them are in the United Kingdom.

The first is the Thames River Barrier, in London’s eastern suburbs. This giant contraption was designed to raise an equally giant curtain to close off the entire river. The idea is to stop storm surges from charging in off the English Channel and drowning the city.

Anybody from New Orleans who has any memory of Hurricane Katrina can Emotionally connect with this barrier and the need for it. The last time the Thames funneled a storm surge into southern Britain back in 1953, 10,000 people were forced out of their homes and 53 died in London alone. North of London, the surge was strong enough to knock a house off its foundations and slam it into a train. Overall, 307 people in the UK lost their lives.

And all that was decades before global warming came up.

You couldn’t really call the Thames Barrier beautiful, but with scientists warning us about rising seas due to climate change, it may be all that stands between London and a watery Armageddon. And there are those who say that it may not be up to the task.

For the sake of 7 million Londoners, pray that they’re wrong.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Next up, north of London, is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. You’ll find it in a city with one of those quintessentially British names: Newcastle upon Tyne.

(The locals, I’m told, just call it “Newcastle” — and do you blame them? “Newcastle upon Tyne” sounds like one of those fancy restos where they won’t let you in without a coat and tie.)

No such stuffiness about that bridge, though. Visually, it almost defines “cool.” Viewed from either bank of the river Tyne, it looks like two rainbow arches, joined at the base on each side of the river to form a giant “V,” or perhaps a tilting “L.” One arch is the bridge deck, the other a counterweight.

When ships approach, the whole contraption pivots upward so the “V” (or “L”) is standing upright and the vessels can pass unobstructed beneath. When all’s clear, the whole thing back down on its side, the counterweight becomes a supporting arch and people cross this elegant, curving walkway over the river.

It’s slick, it’s gorgeous and it’s the only one of its kind in the world.

Last but in no way least is the Falkirk Wheel, near the town of Falkirk in Scotland. The first time you see this thing, you may think you’re on drugs…or the designer was!

Is it me, or does the whole thing look as if it belongs a Star Trek movie set?

The Falkirk Wheel is a boatlift, essentially an elevator to move boats and barges up and down between two canals of different elevations. It may look like modern sculpture conceived on a very bad acid trip, but the concept is regally simple.

Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk, Scotland. Photo by Sean McClean

Picture a massive horizontal shaft. Now picture an equally giant propeller with two blades, standing straight up, attached to that shaft. At each propeller tip is a gated basket filled with water. A boat sails into the lower basket, another into the upper one. The gate closes, and the two boats trade places as the giant propeller slowly rotates 180 degrees around the shaft.

When it comes to a stop, the boat that entered via the lower canal exits via the upper one — and vice versa, all in five minutes.

But the designer wasn’t content to create a brilliantly functional piece of engineering.

The fourth engineering wonder is on the Continent, the Millau Viaduct in southern France. In many ways, it’s just a straightforward bridge. A cable-stayed bridge that suspends its road deck from a row of towers. But that road deck hangs almost 900 feet in the air, which makes it the highest such bridge in the world.

Alas, you can’t walk or ride a bike across this bridge, but the view from cars and buses must be phenomenal. When fog lays into the valley, it falls below the road deck, and the valley just disappears.

Before it was built, holiday drivers heading for the south of France could be backed up for hours trying to get through the village of Millau and across the valley of the river Tarn. The bridge now bypasses the town and literally flies over that valley. In doing so, though, it’s turned Millau into a tourist magnet.

Indeed, each of these engineering spectaculars has become a tourist attraction in its own right. If you think you’d like to check the out for yourself, visitor information is below.

What the heck, you can’t spend all your time looking at museums!

See them in Action, courtesy of YouTube!
Thames Barrier WARNING: Informative, but seven minutes long!
Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Falkirk Wheel
Millau Viaduct

Visitor Information
Thames Barrier
visitors centre

Gateshead Millennium Bridge
visitor info

Falkirk Wheel
info

Millau Viaduct
Millau turisme

Out of the mists

In the North East of England, you will become acutely aware of time and of the inevitability of history. You may also discover a renewed appreciation of the endurance of human civilization.

The North East is a destination in which the mind’s eye sees many layers of human experience. This is also a region of Britain where juxtaposition and contrast — visual, aesthetic, historic, conceptual — play a large role in the travel experience; you are constantly made aware of both the transcendental and ephemeral nature of history.

In this destination you will encounter conflicts, triumphs, and the age-old yearning for a structured and — at the best of times — humane world. These historic themes are writ large on the landscape; and imprinted on the psyche. For visitors to the North East, it is also an encounter with centuries of high drama and a glimpse of momentous cultural collisions.

In the 21st century, however, the North East of England is a model of enlightenment, rich cultural life, marketing vision, and economic prosperity; all of which produces a thoughtful dénouement to the region’s formidable history. And this enhanced sense of meaningfulness is the haphazard consequence of the great events that occurred here.

For many reasons, a visit to the North East of England is a contemplative journey.

A thematic approach to The North East

For destinations as rich and diverse as the North East, I always try to do a little initial mind mapping in order to identify themes inherent in the area. Because my wife and I enjoy independent travel and devising our own itinerary — the North East lends itself very well to this approach — below you will find some of the principal themes that in our experience speak to the distinct travel experience in the North East.

A geographic overview: To get an initial overview of the North East, consult the map on this page.

A crucible for Christianity

Whatever your religious or philosophical persuasion, you will find the North East an engaging destination because of the historic emergence here of an enlightened form of Christianity associated primarily with three great names: Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne; Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne; and The Venerable Bede. These three men are usually associated with a a Golden Age of Saxon scholarship that flourished in the monasteries of the region during Europe’s “Dark Age.”

Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, referred to lovingly as “the Apostle of the English,” or “the Apostle of Northumbria,” was the founder and first bishop of the famous monastery on the island of Lindisfarne. His story, influence, and legacy are remarkable but require that you allow yourself to look at the broader historical picture and to consider how human civilization, as I have suggested, can be subject to the whims and caprices of empire-building.

Although the Roman Empire had extended its might and “civilizing” effect well into the north of Britain, it like many empires of course declined. (Throughout this part of England, you can be forgiven if you find yourself murmuring occasionally Sic transit gloria.) And when the empire fell apart, there was a resurgence of paganism in the north even though by this time the occupiers had spread some degree of Christianity. King Oswald of Northumbria (a convert himself) committed himself to assuring that Christianity replaced paganism, and thus he launched a renewed Christian movement. The first Bishop Corman didn’t seem up to the job reporting that the pagan Northumbrians were too intractable to be converted. Aidan disagreed and was promptly given the job.

As it turned out, Aidan had the skills of a modern “grassroots” politician who is not hesitant to go among the common folk and win them over one by one; which is in fact what he did. Walking from village to village, he spoke to “his” people in a quiet and respectful tone. (I understand now why Margaret Thatcher was so unpopular in this part of England.) Aidan also had other key public relations skills. The King gave him a horse so that he didn’t have to walk, but Aidan gave it away to a beggar. Aidan and his “team” also knew the importance of long-term versus short-term thinking; for example, Aidan chose 12 boys from the area and trained them as monks thus assuring that the kingdom’s future religious leaders would be purely English. The monastery he founded, and others he encouraged, was also one of the first centres of “advanced learning” in which new concepts of how an enlightened human society should function were envisioned.

Saint Cuthbert — “Cuddy” to the locals — was the Anglo-Saxon monk and later Bishop in what was then the Kingdom of Northumbria (more or less the area of modern-day North East England and southern Scotland) who became one of the most important medieval saints of England. After seeing a vision of Saint Aidan, this simple shepherd boy became a monk and eventually the prior of the monastery. However, even though he travelled extensively preaching, teaching, and performing “miracles,” his preference and real nature were more suited to that of a hermit and an ascetic; evidence of how early life experiences and lifestyles can define us! His is a complex story, but in brief, he became (somewhat against his nature and predilection) the Bishop of Lindisfarne. He did, however, die “in peace” on his beloved island among the Farne Islands. His legacy is important because, as Bishop, he had almost as much power as the King of England himself and was instrumental in identifying and affirming the distinct identity of the people of what was then known as the Palatinate of Durham. Scholars have always known the political role that Church leaders wield in society, but it would appear that Cuddy in his role as advocate for his people was far ahead of his time. And when you visit Lindisfarne, you will see some wonderful sculpted images among the ruins of the monastery that point clearly to his contemporary significance. Also when you interact with the very friendly people of the North East, you may also get a sense of a strong sense of self-determination that just might be trace to some extent back to Cuddy.

Saint Bede (c. 672-735) of course is also known as the “Father of English history,” to a great extent because of the 40 books he published. His historical writings represent the first time that the recording of history was devoted to a purely English subject, and they are a literary cornerstone of Western Christendom. At the time, the Church was of course the only institution of learning, and his works cover many disciplines including music, classical (Roman) literature, science, politics, theology, and of course history. He is also one of the first writers to trace human history in allegorical terms; his poetic interpretations thus stimulate the imagination of Christian and non-Christian alike. As an early scientific writer (On the Nature of Things), Bede showed a remarkable ability to apply reasoning and logic to the “temporal” world; it is not surprising that some have referred to the eighth century as “the Age of Bede.”

The tomb of the Venerable Bede is at one end of Durham Cathedral, which many consider the best example of Norman ecclesiastical architecture, and at the other end is that of Saint Cuthbert. For religious scholars, historical travellers, and Christians, visiting the Cathedral is — this is an understatement — a very special moment.

Hadrian’s enduring legacy

I realize I am out of sequence time-wise, but one of the travel skills reinforced by my visit to the North East of England, was to think laterally and in a multi-layered fashion. This “blended” form of consciousness is very much a part of the travel experience here — and it is exhilarating.

So that brings me to Hadrian’s Wall.

Hadrian’s Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Roman Empire and Frontiers World Heritage Site (a separate and equally important designation), and one of those “must visit before I leave this planet” destinations.

But it is not just a single destination; it is above all a destination in which you get up close and personal with history and destiny. By visiting even part of the Wall, you will be able to see and feel the astounding legacy that this northern frontier of the Roman Empire left behind. You will also get a deep sense of the importance of world heritage sites and the dedication to the preservation, study, and interpretive work by so many highly-trained and dedicated people. This is especially true at Hadrian’s Wall because, as I have suggested, it is really multiple destinations in one.

Hadrian’s Wall is a passionate destination; it is not just some structure left behind by an invading people. Instead, it is the kind of tangible historical and archaeological experience that engages all your senses, especially the imagination. We may perhaps presume that imagination is the realm of what is to be or what might be; however, there is an historical imaginative sense that links the past, the present, and the future. And Hadrian’s Wall, a physically complex and intricate historic route in itself, is also a lesson for all time. As Beth Green points out in her brilliant audio commentary, this is not a “wall” in an entirely prohibitive sense; Hadrian’s Wall is all about the comings and goings of social, political, and economic forces. And this is why you will have such a strong sense of wonder when you too are on this northern frontier.

In some ways I was not prepared for the stunning beauty of Hadrian’s Wall. In part it is of course the context; the wide expansive landscape and the green rolling hills and valleys. But there is also a very unique and distinct beauty to the Wall and the way it flows across this open landscape. As an engineering feat, it is of course without parallel, and has that kind of beauty and integrity that architects and engineers especially appreciate. Its structural complexity and startling presence make it a highly “integrated” travel experience in itself. On the Hadrian’s Wall Country Heritage website, there is an advisory to travellers: “Every footstep counts.” This is certainly true. Like many world heritage sites, the sense of awe that one gets here is in part due to the human-landscape connection. You get a very real sense of how and why this Wall came to be. And while the Wall (like perhaps the Pyramids or other such monumental sites) initially may seem daunting in its sheer size, as you interact with it, you are not intimidated nor do you feel diminished by its magnitude. It is in fact the human element literally built into the Wall that is so inspiring. For many people, it is also one of those “Deep Peace” experiences for which North East England is renowned.

Drama, passion, and the new North East

From ancient times to the 20th and 21st centuries, the North East is theatre in the most comprehensive sense of the word. All the grand theatre that has been played out here has left its mark on the people and the places. I am not surprised therefore that the (quite accurate in my opinion) promotional slogan for the area is “Passionate people. Passionate places.” You will also become aware that the central drama is, as usual, that of survival.

As part of the heritage of the North East, there is a very strong identification with a land in which life could be harsh; whether it is in the coal mines, the shipyards, or the extensive open spaces in which the elements play a key role. And I think this is why you will find very special character traits and coping skills that are inspiring. Adversity, as we know, is the fertile ground on which the Promethean free spirit grows.

And in the North East, which is experiencing a strong economic revival and a reaffirmation of its passionate people and places, you will also experience a kind of renaissance engendered by business acumen, innovation and technology — and smart growth. For anyone looking for a thesis study for a post-graduate degree in Business I recommend a visit to the North East of England to see how the region’s social history is also a manifestation of a distinct cultural expression and in many ways the economic base of the region.

Social history and how geography and landscape shape culture

There is a new breed of traveller abroad these days. They are represented by two demographic groups that I personally am aware of: the 50+ people who in some senses have “been there, done that” but not in an ennui-producing sense. On the contrary, this group of independent, active, and “educated” travellers are now demanding more “bang for their buck” (or Pound … or Euro as the case may be). Because they have extensive travel experience and the skill “accessories” to go with it, they are looking for meaningful travel experiences in which they (as life-long learners) can become fully engaged.

The other group I am now noticing on the travel scene is the professional thirtysomes who have just had enough of a taste for the life in the fast lane (or on the economic wild side) to know that their immediate realities are not the only ones on the planet. They too are looking for new perspectives, and I think (because I often engage them in conversation when I travel) they are looking for that crucial historical perspective.

So if you belong to either of these groups, I assure you that you will not be disappointed in the North East of England.

The historical perspective that the North East embodies so well is to a great extent due to geography and landscape. And you will see this interconnectedness in so many of the region’s sites. I immediately think of the Beamish Museum, the excellent Coal Mining and Shipyard exhibits at Sunderland’s Museum and Winter Garden, the urban renewal in Newcastle-on-Tyne, The Baltic Museum of Contemporary Art in Gateshead, to mention just a few.

But hang on please, farther below you will find brief commentaries and hyperlinks to a selection of highly recommended sites like these.

Scale and perspective

Great destinations, in my view, are highly contextual. By that I mean that all the elements — history, geography, topography, the arts, “indigenous” culture, the people, timelessness, and lots of surprises — combine to form a kind of mosaic.

The mosaic is one in which a meaningful pattern can be discerned. The mosaic is the essential but obvious mystery of the destination, as well as the sum total of the parts. The more you explore such a destination, the more you learn — and the more emerges from its physical and cultural landscape. But such destinations also leave you wanting more, wanting to take the mosaic apart, delve into the individual pieces, and then of course put them all back together again — all in good time.

This is the North East of England.

Great travel experiences in the North East of England

Where to begin? The destinations-within-the-destination below are only highlights — just a few samples of travel experiences we especially enjoyed — but by no stretch of the imagination all there is to discover in North East England. For other examples of what there is to discover, we recommend the North East England Pocket Guide.

(a) The City of Durham

Because, in part, we chose a self-catering holiday in the North East, Durham was the “hub” for our explorations. It has been the focal point for the region for a long time; the present city traces its roots back to 995 AD. At that time a group of monks from Lindisfarne chose the city’s strategic location as a settlement and a place for the tomb of Saint Cuthbert. The cathedral is the centre of the city of course and is considered by some to be the finest in the world!

(b) Durham Cathedral

This iconic cathedral, judged the finest Norman cathedral in the world, was voted the nation’s best-loved building in a BBC poll.

(c) Beamish: The North of England’s Open Air Museum

This “living museum” is one of the best we have seen of its kind. As a working archive of social history, it is a very interactive travel experience that deserves at least a full day.

(d) Bamburgh Castle

The lead photograph in this multimedia narrative is of Bamburgh Castle. It is perhaps its stunning location high on a basalt outcrop overlooking the North Sea and a wonderful hiking beach that gives the castle its very impressive perspective.

(e) The Bowes Museum

The Bowes is one of the best examples of the hidden treasures of the North East. For a more complete “view” of this artistic treasure, listen to my conversation with curator Howard Coutts in the Travelosophy Talks segment A French Château in North East England, with Howard Coutts

(f) The Holy Island of Lindisfarne

Check the schedule of tides (see the website) so that you can cross to the island. Reserve a full day for this excursion. Note especially how contemporary art is integrated among the very evocative ruins at the Lindisfarne Priory and Museum (founded in 635AD by Saint Aidan).

(g) Sunderland and its Museum and Winter Gardens

This may be one of the best examples of how the North East is re-introducing to the world its very significant history, especially as it reflects the post-Industrial Revolution era. There are many poignant moments in the museum’s interactive exhibits, especially of the shipyards and coal mines.

Remember the amazing success of the film Billy Elliot; a funny, poignant, and coherent portrait of one of the worst times in Britain during Margaret Thatcher’s reign? Well it’s back. This time as as a smashing new musical production . Lee Hall, author of the screenplay, has written the book and the music is by Sir Elton John! This production which is still playing in London (see the brief video on the website), also tells the story of the North East.

(h) The Alnwick Garden and Castle

Pronounced ENNICK, this is one of those destinations that challenges travel writers to describe and to categorize. Is it a horticultural destination, an arts destination, or an historic destination? Well, it’s all of the above of course, and more. We especially enjoyed the contemporary water garden sculptures at the Garden and imagining Harry Potter flying around the castle courtyard. See also The Alnwick Castle

(i) High Force Waterfall

Like so much of Britain, the North East is an nature lover’s destination, especially for those who like to ramble (or amble) throughout romantic natural settings. High Force Waterfall is typical of the area.

(j) The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead

“The Baltic” is contemporary North East England at its best. As a focal point for visiting Gateshead and Newcastle-on-Tyne (urban redevelopment at its most inspiring), this enormous arts space is also a heritage and landmark building. When we were there, one exhibit was especially contemporary in a wild and wonderful sense, and it was very interesting to see the reaction of three university lads to the contemporary art. Nearby is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the world’s first and only tilting bridge; an engineer’s dream destination.

See also The Newcastle-Gateshead World-Class Culture website

(k) Hadrian’s Wall

See my comments above.

(l) Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty

As the name suggests, this association promotes and protects very special places in Britain. See the website for more information on The North Pennines and Northumberland Coast. We also found the Tees Valley an especially beautiful day-trip destination.

The Main Resources

Visit North East England

England’s North Country

Other Resources

The Great British Heritage Pass (We found this pass useful and economical.)

Hadrian’s Wall Path

The North East England website has links to following mini-guides and others: “Cycle North East England”; “It’s amazing where our walks can lead you”; “Discover our secret gardens”.

Bird Watch Northumbria

The North East of England as a self-catering destination

We chose this mode of travel because it gave us a lot of flexibility and the opportunity to experience the local culture of the area.

Recommended reading

My wife and I enjoy reading novels set in the destinations we visit, especially if they are written by authors who actually live there. Pat Barker is a well-known British author (especially for her Regeneration trilogy) who lives in Durham. I recommend her novel Double Vision which is set in the North East of England.

How to research a self-catering holiday

Here are a few tips that we have found useful.

(a) Choose your target destination according to your personal interests. If for example wildlife and birding interest you, choose a region in which you can create a day-trip itinerary to indulge those passions. En route you will discover much more.

(b) If you are renting a car, research how driveable the destination is. In general, identify an area or region that has a lot of attractions and amenities within easy driving distance or by public transport. Be sure to investigate local public transportation if you are going that route.

(c) The local or regional official tourism website (in the business we call them CVBs, Convention and Visitor Bureaus) is a prime resource for researching your chosen destination. In our experience, these people really know what they are doing. Self-catering properties have been checked out carefully and in most destinations they must meet certain criteria. Although the CVB websites are there to market their destinations, they are in general not commercial websites.

(d) Always dialogue with the company representatives or the owners themselves. They are in the business to serve your needs and answer your questions before you arrive.

(e) Is there an urban centre nearby that serves as a hub for your regional itinerary or is a destination within a destination itself?

(f) Research local markets and shopping facilities via the self-catering company’s website. Never hesitate to ask specific questions.

(g) Research special discounts available in the area. For example larger urban centres may have discounted transportation passes or museum passes such as CityPass.

(h) The best entry point for the region you have chosen may not be the major national airport. If you are considering North East England, check out airlines and airfares to some of the northern cities or even cities like Glasgow.

Critical Visions, 2008 RAIA National Conference

From the moment Chris Wilkinson walked on stage and then (unusually) proceeded to sit down on a lounge for his keynote address, I thought he would be an interesting speaker. It turned out, however, the reason he was sitting down was his bad back but it suited his laid-back yet confident delivery nonetheless. Established over 25 years ago in London, the firm of Wilkinson Eyre are probably best known for their iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge but there is a greater breadth to the practice “striving for the beautiful idea” as Wilkinson presented.

Gateshead Millenium Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (by Xavier de Jauréguiberry)

Wilkinson said he strives for “aesthetics, atmosphere and meaning” in projects where there is an ambiguity between art and science. And as Wilkinson noted, in order to make the art, you have to understand the science.

Wilkinson Eyre’s understanding of the “science” is apparent in many of the projects presented, especially the series of bridge projects. Starting with the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Wilkinson explained that the curved deck, acting as a horizontal arch, met the brief requirement of not establishing foundations on the banks of the river as well creating an accessible promenade. Two arches, one spanning the river vertically and the other is a horizontal arch, supported a series of cables, is the promenade deck. Both arches pivot around a pin joint which makes the structure look like an eyelid or helmet visor. This architectural metaphor reflects the art/science blend Wilkinson mentioned earlier.

The big eyelid, aka. the Gateshead Millennium Bridge (2001)

Cultural Destinations
Wilkinson explained that he aimed to create cultural buildings that people wanted to go to rather than have to go and on basis he presented a trio of projects to meet that objective; the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, Wales, the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth and the speculative the House of Human Rights in Milan for Amnesty International.

Facade detail, National Waterfront Museum, Swansea (by chilledoutdude)

Window and stacked stone cladding detail (by chilledoutdude)

Of these, the most intriguing is the project to display the Mary Rose – Henry the VIII’s flagship from 1511- to the public. Subject to 25 years of archeology and restorations, only half of the ship’s hull was preserved in river mud and Wilkinson’s proposition is to create a virtual mirror hull from (hopefully) cast glass. Over 18,000 objects pulled from the river will be displayed in this glass hull where the exhibition aims to capture a specific moment in time of Tudor England. The “composite” hull is enclosed by a large span shell-like shed which is clad in black timber panelling.

Model of the Mary Rose Project (by galuppi)

Light & Geometry
Wilkinson presented a range of bridges, of which the practice is justifiably well-known, including the Floral Street Bridge, London, the University of Limerick “Living” Bridge and the interactive “Challenge of Materials” Bridge at the Science Museum in London. Each bridge is a characteristic blend of art and science in response to context. The Floral Street Bridge provides a discreet connection between the Royal Ballet and the Opera House for dancers and employs a square frame rotating using spiral geometry. Pre-fabricated entirely offsite, the bridge elegantly resolved the misaligned (in plan and section) heritage building openings. Wilkinson called it a “bridge of aspirations”. Indeed.

Underside street view of the twisting Floral Street Bridge (by ly wylde)

Ballet Dancer on the Floral Street Bridge (by cybele_skydancer)

Whilst the Floral Street Bridge responds to context, the Challenge of Materials bridge responds directly to the user(s) by adjusting hundreds of 1mm wires supporting the 6mm laminated glass-on-edge deck according to the load imposed. The wires are connected to a stainless steel baseplate attached to a computerised load monitor. This amazing bridge paved the way for the Tensegrity Bridge, in collaboration with Cecil Balmond, proposed for the National Building Museum in Washington.

Wilkinson ended his presentation discussing the “Complex Geometries” of the Liverpool Arena & Conference Centre, and the (unfortunately named) Guangzhou Twin Towers in China but neither of these large scale projects quite managed to elegantly blend the art of architecture and the science of structure as well as Wilkinson Eyre’s bridge portfolio.

Facade detail, Liverpool Arena & Conference Centre (by johnybes)

Projects Presented (in order)

• Gateshead Millennium Bridge [PDF], Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2001)
  
• The Magna Project [PDF] (Science Adventure Centre), Rotherham (2001)
• National Waterfront Museum [PDF], Swansea (2005)
• Mary Rose Museum [PDF], Portsmouth (ongoing)
• House of Human Rights, Milan (project)
  
• Floral Street Bridge [PDF], London (2003)
• University of Limerick Living Bridge [PDF], Ireland (2007)
• Challenge of Materials Bridge [PDF], Science Museum, London (1997)
• Gardens by the Bay [PDF], Singapore (ongoing)
• Tensegrity Bridge [PDF], Washington (ongoing)
• Liverpool Arena & Conference Centre [PDF] (2008)
• Guangzhou Twin Towers [PDF], China (2009)

Additional Wilkinson Eyre Resources

• Official site of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge
• Structural analysis case study of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge
• Primer of 21st century steel bridge design (inc. Gateshead Millennium Bridge)
• Gateshead Millennium Bridge on Galinsky
  
• National Waterfront Museum (official site)
  
• Architectural Record’s Building Types Study on the Floral Street Bridge
• More details about the University of Limerick Bridge on e-architect
• Details and photos of the Challenge of Materials Bridge
• Gardens by the Bay visualisation by Squint Opera
• A so-called “virtual flythrough” of Liverpool Arena & Conference Centre

Also in this series… Billie Tsien: Resistance, Brigitte Shim: Site/Situation