Thomas Heatherwick

The founder of the London based Heatherwick Studio, Thomas Heatherwick, is an English designer. He has emerged as one of Britain’s most gifted and imaginative designers. His original and advanced designs have earned Thomas Heatherwick a reputation as an “ideas engine”.

His most notable work includes the Olympic Cauldron for the 2012 Olympics in London, His design for a London double decker bus (the first to be commissioned for London in 50 years) and The Rolling Bridge that is part of the Grand Union Canal office and retail development in London.

 

Thomas Heatherwick works with over eighty architects, designers and makers in a combined workshop and studio in London’s King’s Cross.

 

The Rolling Bridge is a movable bridge that can curl into an octagonal at one side of the canal or flatten to allow people to cross. Completed in 2004 the bridge consists of eight triangular, hinged, sections. The sections are hinged level with the walkway and above the walkway each section is connected with two-part links that collapse towards the base to allow the bridge to curl. The 12 metre bridge uses hydraulic pistons curl the bridge. This allows boats to pass through. When the bridge is flattened it resembles a conventional steel and timber bridge.

I think this design is clever and a lot more attractive than a traditional moving bridge. Its design means that only one side of the canal is taken up when the bridge is raised so it is quite space saving. Its design reminds me of a snail when it is fully curled up. The way the bridge moves is complicated and there are more components to go wrong. A traditional moving bridge would probably have been easier to design, build and maintain however I think The Rolling Bridge is a much better design to look at and is a lot more interesting in the way it works.