Footbridge competition shortlist spans full range of design talents

The shortlist underlines the ODA's commitment to design excellence and to open up opportunities to a wide and diverse range of designers.

ODA Director of Infrastructure and Utilities Simon Wright said:

"I'm delighted to announce a shortlist of such diverse and talented teams who are competing to make their mark on the Olympic Park.

"Having such a competent shortlist will ensure that we continue to aim for the highest standards of design excellence, not just for the key venues, but throughout the entire site.

"I look forward to shortlisted design proposals that meet both Games-time needs and also the local community use after 2012."

Following a strong response by more than 46 teams, the ODA has today announced a shortlist of six teams which includes a range of leading design and engineering firms as well as young up-and-coming practices.

The six shortlisted teams are:

• McDowell+Benedetti, Jane Wernick Associates, Craft Pegg and Sutton Vane Associates
  
• Hparc architects and Adams Kara Taylor Engineers
  
• Ron Arad Associated, Buro Happold and Landscape Architects - BBUK Studio
  
• Softroom and Eckersley O'Callaghan
  
• Future Systems and Adams Kara Taylor
  
• Tonkin Liu, Atelier One, Grant Associates and BDP Sustainability

The competition, launched in May, was for multi-disciplined teams including structural engineers, architects, designers and landscape architects to design the footbridge which will span 26m over Carpenters Lock on the River Lea Waterway.

The bridge will be located on the central pedestrian concourse in the Olympic Park - a key link between the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Basketball Arena.

This announcement follows the launch of the ODA’s Design Strategy last month which outlines how design will be incorporated into every aspect of the planning and delivery of the venues and infrastructure needed for the 2012 Games and Legacy.

The planning and design of the bridge will integrate both Games and legacy use. After 2012, the structure will feature two permanent separate spans over the River Lea, each 6.5m wide.

In Games time, a temporary bridge around 41m wide will be constructed in between and joined onto the 2 permanent spans to create a single 54m wide structure able to accommodate increased spectator numbers.

The shortlisted teams will now be asked to develop concept design proposals for the permanent and temporary bridges and the immediate surrounding landscape.

Teams will be asked to submit design ideas for the footbridge to form a centrepiece in the Olympic Park while also reflecting the design and identity of the surrounding Park and infrastructure.

The shortlisted teams' submissions will be assessed in September by a Design Jury which will include Ricky Burdett, Professor Chris Wise, Peter Bishop and Bob Allies of Allies and Morrison.

Ends

For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our Work in Progress blog http://blog.london2012.com