Page 8 - FlipBook

LANDMARKS THE WORLD
TOP 10
1
Henderson Waves Bridge
Singapore
Slinking along from one forested hilltop park to another, Henderson Waves Bridge gets its undulating shape from ribs of steel and yellow balau wood sourced from sustainable farms in Southeast Asia. Bench seating tucked into the curves creates sheltered alcoves for admiring the panorama of trees and city skyline—118 feet above bustling Henderson Road. Stroll along the bridge as part of the three-mile Southern Ridges trail, or turn up after 7 p.m., when the LED lights are blazing.
Pedestrian Bridges
Dynamic bridges that beautifully connect function and design
by Kate Appleton
Striking footbridges have been cropping up lately from Singapore to Portland, Oregon, drawing locals and tourists alike. When cars don’t factor into the equation, architects can tap into all kinds of creative impulses, dreaming up bridges that unfurl like fans that glitter with LED lights.
Many also provide one-of-a-kind vantage points, be they of lush forests or historic city centers. In short, these bridges combine the best of form and function.
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Langkawi SkyBridge
Malaysia
When is a bridge a destination in its own right? When you have to catch a cable-car ride—the world’s steepest—just to reach it. That’s the case here atop Mount Machinchang, more than 2,000 feet above sea level, where the SkyBridge opened, in 2005 (much of the prefab structure was brought in by helicopter). The cable-stayed bridge bends around a
single support pylon, providing a shifting perspective of rain forest, waterfalls and ocean as you cross it. Recent upgrades include a glass-bottomed middle section that’s sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
Pedro e Inês Footbridge
Coimbra, Portugal
A zigzag shape gives this bridge a disjointed look, as if the two ends, coming from opposite banks of the Mondego River, won’t manage
to meet in the middle. And that’s fitting given that the 14th-century Portuguese lovers Pedro and Inês were fated not to be together. Jagged pieces of pastel glass cover the balustrades, filtering coloured sunlight onto the walkway. The overall effect is to add some modern flair to the well-preserved medieval university town of Coimbra.
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Merchant Square Footbridge
London, England
This London bridge cascades with a dazzling grace—five steel beams descend in the manner of a handheld fan being folded. Unveiled in 2014 by Knight Architects, Merchant Square is the latest footbridge with wow factor to open along the Grand Union Canal, in Paddington Basin. (The nearby Rolling Bridge opts to make way for boats by curling up into a ball.) The convenience and visual appeal of these structures enliven
the neighbourhood atmosphere, setting a precedent for the boutique hotel, garden and event space currently in the works.
6 JANUARY 2017