Architecture Today Test of Time Award Winner 2024

First launched in 2022, the awards celebrate buildings that stand the test of time and have proven their worth through years of use, adaptation and continued relevance.

Located high above Floral Street in London’s Covent Garden, the Bridge of Aspiration, completed in 2003, connects The Royal Ballet School to the Royal Opera House, allowing dancers to move freely between the two buildings. Designed by WilkinsonEyre, the elegant twisting structure is intended to evoke the fluidity and grace of dance, as well as provide an eye-catching landmark for the school and its connection to the world-famous performance venue next door.

Founding director Jim Eyre reflects on the bridge’s inception, evolution and lasting appeal.

‘I was very pleased that we won the competition [...] It just felt so right for this particular project – this interesting object up in the sky in the street’

.Our early sketches started to generate this idea of something that might twist, and were followed very rapidly by the idea of a series of picture frames that would gradually turn through 90 degrees across the width of the street.

People walking down the street don’t always notice it. But others do. It’s something you discover if you happen to look up’

Listen to Jim Eyre discuss the project on the Architecture Today awards page.