Moxon Architects. New Thames Path footbridge opens at London’s Dukes Meadowsd
16/01/2023.
[LON] UK RU
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
Dukes Meadows Footbridge, a new pedestrian bridge in Chiswick, West London, has opened. Designed by Moxon Architects together with structural engineers COWI, the bridge was constructed by Knights Brown and closely follows the concept and planning design prepared by Moxon with engineers CampbellReith.
The new low-carbon footbridge - sited beneath the existing Grade II listed Barnes Bridge - rejuvenates a previously disconnected stretch of the Thames Path, dramatically improving safety, access and pedestrian flow.
As one of the projects in the Mayor of London’s € 60 (£53) million Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme, the bridge is part of the London Borough of Hounslow’s drive to improve infrastructure, safety and leisure opportunities in the Dukes Meadows area. The new bridge links two sections of the Thames Path, with landscaped landings improving access to the nearby rowing clubs and sports grounds.
The new low-carbon footbridge - sited beneath the existing Grade II listed Barnes Bridge - rejuvenates a previously disconnected stretch of the Thames Path, dramatically improving safety, access and pedestrian flow.
As one of the projects in the Mayor of London’s € 60 (£53) million Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme, the bridge is part of the London Borough of Hounslow’s drive to improve infrastructure, safety and leisure opportunities in the Dukes Meadows area. The new bridge links two sections of the Thames Path, with landscaped landings improving access to the nearby rowing clubs and sports grounds.
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Aerial Essex
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Aerial Essex
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Aerial Essex
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Aerial Essex
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Aerial Essex
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Aerial Essex
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy
Axonometry. Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge.
Plan on deck. Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge.
Elevations. Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge.
Details. Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge.
The proposal by Moxon Architects solves the need for pedestrians to take a 500m detour to cross the railway, the footbridge makes the Thames Path more inclusive, providing better-lit access. The bridge also responds to the high volume of rowing traffic along this section of the river, anticipating views to rowers at all tide levels.
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Aerial Essex.
Utilising off-site prefabrication in Tilbury, Essex, as well as the river itself for the transportation and installation of the bridge sections, an overall aim has been to reduce environmental impacts and carbon emissions during construction. Energy-efficient lighting was designed to protect the fragile ecosystem within Dukes Hollow. With robust finishes in stainless steel and aluminium, the structure anticipates future flooding and reduces the maintenance required over its expected 100+ year lifetime.
The structure designed by Moxon Architects is a ‘half through’ truss form with distinctive bracing members angled to maximise oblique views to the river. Estimates using COWI’s CO2e tool show innovation in material specification and construction technique between design and completion have enabled a 50% reduction of carbon emissions associated with the trusses, and a 30% reduction in the footbridge’s overall carbon footprint.
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy.
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy.
The meandering alignment of the trusses facilitates views up and downstream, as well as into the adjacent Dukes Hollow nature reserve - one of the few remaining natural tidal habitats in London. In addition to linking the Thames Path and providing access to the adjacent sports grounds and rowing clubs, the design also respects surrounding ecology by carefully integrating the structure into landscaped banks on either side of Barnes bridge. The open truss parapets that enable views from the bridge, also allow views through to the dense vegetation when seen from the Barnes side of the river. The 115m long structure is divided into four ambitiously slender spans that hug the shoreline, touching down on discrete piers that provide a minimal footprint within the tidal zone.
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy.
“Our intention was to develop an affordable, efficient and honest solution that was easy to construct and pleasing to use. With a modest and refined appearance, the bridge sits respectfully below the existing landmark structure, referencing its form without competing for attention.”
Ezra Groskin, Director, Moxon Architects
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Aerial Essex.
Utilising off-site prefabrication in Tilbury, Essex, as well as the river itself for the transportation and installation of the bridge sections, an overall aim has been to reduce environmental impacts and carbon emissions during construction. Energy-efficient lighting was designed to protect the fragile ecosystem within Dukes Hollow. With robust finishes in stainless steel and aluminium, the structure anticipates future flooding and reduces the maintenance required over its expected 100+ year lifetime.
The structure designed by Moxon Architects is a ‘half through’ truss form with distinctive bracing members angled to maximise oblique views to the river. Estimates using COWI’s CO2e tool show innovation in material specification and construction technique between design and completion have enabled a 50% reduction of carbon emissions associated with the trusses, and a 30% reduction in the footbridge’s overall carbon footprint.
“With significant carbon emissions traceable to the construction of transport infrastructure projects, Dukes Meadow Footbridge was one of the very first projects to benefit from an innovative new tool developed by COWI to improve how carbon data is captured and utilised.”
Cameron Archer-Jones, Principal Engineer, COWI in the UK
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy.
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy.
The meandering alignment of the trusses facilitates views up and downstream, as well as into the adjacent Dukes Hollow nature reserve - one of the few remaining natural tidal habitats in London. In addition to linking the Thames Path and providing access to the adjacent sports grounds and rowing clubs, the design also respects surrounding ecology by carefully integrating the structure into landscaped banks on either side of Barnes bridge. The open truss parapets that enable views from the bridge, also allow views through to the dense vegetation when seen from the Barnes side of the river. The 115m long structure is divided into four ambitiously slender spans that hug the shoreline, touching down on discrete piers that provide a minimal footprint within the tidal zone.
Dukes Meadow Footbridge under Barnes Bridge. Photograph by Simon Kennedy.
Project description by Moxon Architects
Barnes Bridge spans the Thames between Barnes and Chiswick. It primarily supports rail traffic with a small footway along the downstream edge. Built-in 1849 the original cast iron Grade II listed twin bridge carried trains for less than fifty years. In 1895 cast iron was considered unsound for this type of structure and the downstream spans were replaced with the ‘modern’ steel truss bridge that is still in operation today. The upstream structure has lain redundant ever since.
Conceived by local residents united with a passion to see this historic structure restored to community use, ‘The View’ will transform the disused rail bridge into a public amenity. The scheme will give visitors and locals a chance to enjoy a unique communal space over the River Thames. The existing structure will be carefully restored and supplemented with sympathetic landscaping and street furniture. The new linear park will extend in both directions to complete a green corridor over the river. It will connect with existing and proposed routes including the soon-to-be-completed Dukes Meadow Footbridge to the north.
The southern approach path will serve the dual function of step-free access to the existing station platform. This functional aspect of the scheme will be integrated within the existing woodland setting, opening up both the station and the new park to all users.
Moxon is delighted to support the team in realising their original vision.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Lighting Designer.- Moxon Architects.
Structural, Geotechnical, Environmental and Civil Engineering.- CampbellReith (Concept Design) / COWI (Technical Design).
Marine Engineering.- Marmus.
Marine Transport and Logistics.- Red 7 Marine.
Electrical Engineering.- Slender Winter Partnership.
CDM Consultant.- Goddard Consulting.
Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor.- Currie & Brown.
Structural, Geotechnical, Environmental and Civil Engineering.- CampbellReith (Concept Design) / COWI (Technical Design).
Marine Engineering.- Marmus.
Marine Transport and Logistics.- Red 7 Marine.
Electrical Engineering.- Slender Winter Partnership.
CDM Consultant.- Goddard Consulting.
Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor.- Currie & Brown.
Client
London Borough of Hounslow.
Contractor
Principal Contractor.- Knights Brown.
Steel Fabricator.- McNealy Brown.
Steel Fabricator.- McNealy Brown.
Dates
2022 - January, 2023.
Photography
Ben Addy, Tim Murray, Ezra Groskin. Moxon Architects
Moxon Architects. Founded in 2004, Moxon has attracted major clients in a variety of sectors, from national rail providers to leading cultural institutions. Among them: Transport for London, Hauser & Wirth and the City of Westminster.
Moxon prides itself on a diverse team that allows the practice to provide multi-disciplinary solutions for clients in any category – commercial, residential, product design, or public. The practice is committed to sustainability and beauty throughout each project.
The practice is split across its two offices in London and in Aberdeenshire.
Moxon prides itself on a diverse team that allows the practice to provide multi-disciplinary solutions for clients in any category – commercial, residential, product design, or public. The practice is committed to sustainability and beauty throughout each project.
The practice is split across its two offices in London and in Aberdeenshire.
Ben Addy, Managing Director. BArch DipArch [Dist.] ARB RIBA RIAS.
Tim Murray, Director. BSc [Hons] DipArch ARB RIBA.
Ezra Groskin, Associate. BSc MArch DipArch ARB RIBA.
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