River Torrens Bridge

Adelaide, Australia

Photo © Oxigen

Photo © Sam Noonan

Architects: Oxigen

Year: 2010

The new River Torrens Bridge provides a crucial connection in the urban and recreational cycle network. By virtue of its location in a natural open space setting, the bridge is both surprising and tempting to its users. The form is an expressive through subtle sculpture that captures the moment of ‘crossing’ and the qualities of the immediate landscape.

The river’s murky qualities contrast with the crisp metal qualities of the structure – cor-ten, stainless and galvanised steel. The steel form supported by expressive struts over its curved shape offers a variety of constantly changing perspectives and experiences. The deck of galvanised webforge is in-filled with granulitic rubber softfall to replace traditional timber or precast concrete planks. The combination of these decking materials is innovative and unique.

The bridge represents a new confidence in innovative and sustainable contemporary design of public infrastructure in the city. In addition to a new safe crossing, the bridge connects to its context and forms literally a bridge between parklands and citywide activities and networks.