Shizimen Gateway Bridge (The Infinity Loop)

Zhuhai, China
The Infinity Loop was the winning entry of an invited international design competition for a 300m gateway bridge, won in conjunction with structural engineer Buro Happold. The brief was to create a landmark bridge in the Shizimen district, highly visible from Zhuhai to the north and from Macau to the east.

The design team set out to create a simple and elegant solution, responding both to the client's brief and to the complex coastline conditions. The winning design proposes an asymmetric span, challenging common bridge design conventions. This form comprises an undulating structural ribbon of steel wrapping around the six lane road deck in a continuous sculptural loop form, tying together two simple parabolic arches and splitting the bridge into two simpler and smaller spans. The resulting structure, when reflected in the water, creates a figure of eight form, a sign of prosperity in Chinese culture.
Client:
Huafa Group
Type:
Bridge
Length:
300m
Service:
Architecture, CGI
Status:
Design Completion 2011
The lower edge of the ribbon supports the wider pedestrian and cycle way to the north, which looks out over the Pearl River Delta towards the mainland. The platform offers a rest point and views across the Pearl River Delta.

The continuity of the loop structure appears as a dramatic free standing infinity loop floating above the Pearl River Delta.

winning awards

WAN Transport Awards 2012 - Highly Commended
International Design Competition - Winner

team

Design Partner - Gordon Affleck

Architectural Team

Bernice Kwok, Carlo Maria Ciampoli, Colin Ashton, Frisly Colop Morales, Jon Martin, Lukasz Wawrzenczyk, Magic Kwan, Mike Kwok, Phil Gray, Rob Rodriguez

consultants

10 Design - Lead Design Architect
Buro Happold - Structural Engineer

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