Projects About Thinking News Contact
Back to Projects

The Peace Bridge

Location
Derry, Londonderry, UK & Europe
Status
Completed
Year
2011
Experience
Bridges
Cultural
Awards

Civic Trust Award National Panel Special Award 2013

ICE NE Robert Stephenson Award 2012

The Waterways Renaissance Award 2012

Tekla Global BIM Award 2011

Construction Employers Federation Award 2011

Following a successful competition entry, WilkinsonEyre was commissioned to design a bridge across the River Foyle in Derry~Londonderry. Linking the redeveloped site of the former army barracks at Ebrington with the historic city centre across the water, the 235m-long cycle/footbridge follows an S-shaped alignment that resolves two skewed axes at each abutment and responds to views up and down the river.

The project was funded by the EU PEACE III Programme, which supports the creation of new, genuinely shared spaces to tackle the problems of separated communities in Northern Ireland and the Border region. The bridge is conceived as a pair of self-anchored suspension bridges that overlap visually and structurally at the middle of the river in a symbolic demonstration of unity and concord.

The city of Derry~Londonderry in Northern Ireland is central to the turbulent political history of Ireland and as the inaugural UK City of Culture in 2013, has undergone an ambitious programme of economic, physical and social regeneration. WilkinsonEyre's Peace Bridge was central to this initiative. It was important that the bridge should not be visually allied to either bank of the river, but to serve both in unison. It is designed as two identical halves, each suspended from a single, inclined steel pylon, which overlap at the centre of the river to form a 'structural handshake' – a powerful metaphor for reconciliation, drawing on inspiration from the sculpture "Hands Across the Divide" by Maurice Harron, which can be found nearby.

Two arrays of filigree hangers support the concave edges of the bridge deck from catenary cables, which are supported at high level by the inclined pylons. The fluid lines of the composition neatly frame views of the historic city and provide a contextual landmark for future generations.on positive in operation.

Related
Lille Langebro
The elegant Lille Langebro cycle and pedestrian bridge enhances Copenhagen’s waterfront and contributes to its reputation as the world’s best city for walking and cycling.
Eaton Centre Bridge
The CF Eaton Centre Bridge revitalises a connection between two shopping malls in downtown Toronto by providing an attractive, landmark pedestrian crossing above the street.
University of Limerick: Living Bridge
The Living Bridge forms part of the University of Limerick's ambitious plans for expansion to the north of the River Shannon.
Get in touch with us
  • info@wilkinsoneyre.com
  • press@wilkinsoneyre.com
  • newbusiness@wilkinsoneyre.com
  • London

    33 Bowling Green Lane
    London EC1R 0BJ
    United Kingdom

    T +44 (0)20 7608 7900 info@wilkinsoneyre.com
  • Hong Kong SAR

    13/F China Hong Kong Tower
    8-12 Hennessy Road
    Wan Chai, Hong Kong

    T +852 2110 8055 asiapacific@wilkinsoneyre.com
  • Sydney

    201 Kent Street
    Sydney PO Box R55
    NSW 2000, Australia

    T +61 02 9247 07 40 australia@wilkinsoneyre.com
Instagram LinkedIn Twitter
Privacy Policy
  • Design TM
  • Development morphsites