Cox Architecture with Arup and Architects 61 received two honourable mentions at the 11th Singapore Institute of Architects Architectural Design Awards for their additions to Singapore’s heart in Marina Bay.
The first is for the structurally pioneering design of the pedestrian “Helix” bridge at the northeast corner of the bay. The second is for the environmentally innovative promenade and visitors centre at the opposite end of the bay.
Cox Architecture founder, Philip Cox said, “The “Helix” is the world’s only double helix bridge and was inspired by the Watson and Crick double helix spiral for DNA - the very structure of life.”
Cox said, “The bridge is a metaphor for the biological structure of all things and is the centre piece of this sustainable urban environment. It illustrates the combination of solar protection as well as integrated structure, lighting and art works.”
The Helix Bridge provides a six metre - wide pedestrian connection over the head of the Singapore River, vital to the life of the city. This 280 metre-long foot bridge is constructed using efficient and long lasting materials in this case high strength duplex stainless steel.
Cox Architecture Director, Michael Rayner said, “The Bridge provides an exciting opportunity for visitors to experience its unique design by, passing under the canopy of the sinuous double spiral form to take pause at any of the four ovular cantilevered viewing pods from which to take in the activities of the bay“.
At night the bridge is lit by ribbons of energy-efficient LED lights accentuating the interweaving structure and creating a sculpture in light above the bay.
The Helix Bridge is complemented by the other award-winning element, the Marina Bay promenade, which provides a generous waterfront urban space linking the southern end of the Marina Bay to the CBD.
Cox Architecture design director, Professor Cox said, “The promenade is conceived of as a continuous, gridded urban ground plane of durable granite paving. It is linked to the water borne activities on the bay by the lower boardwalk platform made of renewable resource hardwood timber with a granite amphitheatre that disappears into the water.
“Both ground plane levels on the promenade are interwoven with a verdant tropical landscape of carefully selected mature indigenous plant species.”
A series of bespoke environmental initiatives have been designed to provide visitors respite and thermal comfort from Singapore’s intense tropical climate, but appear more like sculptural installations
Cox said, “These include a 300 metre-long sinuous stainless steel mist pipe, three, nine metre-diameter solar powered breeze shelters - each equipped with a massive motion sensor-activated fan and a colourful, fully interactive water feature in the precinct’s activity plaza.”
These interventions all lead pedestrians to the fully-glazed, solar powered visitor centre designed using geometric mesh steelwork to house exhibitions and information on Marina Bay’s fast developing environs.
Marina Bay as it grows will effectively double the size of Singapore’s city centre.
Rayner said, “Global Cities like Singapore recognise the importance of urban fabric. These two awards, which Cox Architecture is honoured to receive, demonstrate the Singapore Government’s commitment to urban renewal and infrastructure and the value the government places on design excellence.”
“The projects reflect that in future, successful urban interventions must use advanced environmental and engineering designs to create an increased aesthetic value for a city.”
