Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones.
Kurilpa Bridge is the world’s largest structure to be based upon the principles of ‘tensegrity’, the term coined by Richard Buckminster Fuller to describe a system of balanced compressive and tensile forces.
The architecture and engineering team at Cox Architecture recognised that conventional structures would not satisfy critical brief requirements — to span over Brisbane’s Riverside Expressway and to minimise impact on a park significant to indigenous people on the other side.
The result provides a new pedestrian and cycle connection across Brisbane’s river but also forms a new public space, as well as a symbol for art, science, technology and healthy living.
The building was selected by a panel of esteemed architects and designers, beating off competition from a shortlist of entries that included Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Zaha Hadid Architects, UAE; Guangzhou South Railway Station, TFP Farrells Ltd, China; Malmö Central Station, Metro Arkitekter, Sweden.
The jury commented: “The development of the Buckminster Fuller concept translated very well and the bridge appears to ‘float’ over the river. The structural elements seem to be abstractly suspended in the air making the bridge very different, functional, unique and sculptural.”
