As this is our build issue we wanted to celebrate the talents of just some of the architects based here in jersey. So we set them a challenge to build a bridge, out of lego.
They were each given a basic box of lego, containing 650 pieces of varying colours, shapes and sizes and we asked them to construct a bridge between two stacks of gallery magazines, five high on each side with a gallery width in between. It was a simple as that.
The results of the challenge can be seen over the next four pages. We were excited by the variety of differing interpretations of the brief and a big thank you goes to those that participated for taking the time our of their demanding schedules to contribute. But hey, who wouldn’t want the chance to play with lego again?!
Architecture barnes collie fischerBetween us we have over 60 years of qualified and professional service and every aspect of our design process is driven by the desire to achieve optimum results for our clients, for the end-users and to produce, not just award winning architecture, but buildings that the public can admire and enjoy.
Our name reflects the teamwork that lies at the heart of our practice as well as representing our passionate commitment to design excellence for our clients whilst achieving maximum value for money.
Good design and good planning are essential for the success of any project and these elements, combined with achieving a true sense of place, have contributed to winning numerous awards over the years, including three design awards at the 2011 Jersey Design Awards.
We are fully committed to sustainable development, a philosophy that means every project is considered from a perspective of reducing Jersey’s carbon footprint and cutting running costs for our clients.
Our most recent coup has been winning work in England mostly in London where our approach is finding favour with the local planners.
Bridge rationale: Catenary wave
The interesting idea of using Lego is the use of short unit lengths to achieve a broad span. Lego is a material which relies on friction to create its strength. Our concept was to create a curvilinear bridge from rectilinear pieces. The team at aBCF were also keen on the catenary shape of a suspension bridge which was repeated in this prototype.
The inspiration for the bridge was taken from the beauty of waves, as the bridge is spanning the powerful wild spirit of water and air, which is tamed by the industrial nature of humanity’s desire to control the environment.
The bridge conveys the simplicity of a traditional bridge with modern artistic touches, starting with the banded abutments to the chevron shape; it goes with the flow. It shows the unity between the ingenuity in our society and people’s aspirations for movement and aesthetics. We can also see the way that the bridge is blended into its concept to demonstrate how structures can feel to physical constraints, but yet be free in freedom of expression. The bridge also blends efficiency with art form because of the dual lane motorway which travels beneath the deck but also has vehicular movement. Future decks can be added for expansion needs.
Bdk architects
BDK Architects are Jersey’s only cited 2014 Green World Ambassadors: “Helping others help the Environment”. The Jersey Construction Awards 2012 judges said this about our expertise:- “BDK have a wealth of local knowledge and experience and consistently execute excellent buildings. BDK Architects were established in 1985 and today have a reputation for professionalism and innovation.”
“Ultimately their passion for excellent design and a proven award winning talent makes them a strong contender for high-end developments. BDK’s particular attribute is their expertise in producing 3 dimensional building modelling for every project. They design using state of the art CAD technology, which gives them the ability to produce life-like virtual reality three-dimensional images.” We are Multiple Award-winning Chartered Architects, Planning Consultants, Designers and Development Advisers.
Bridge rationale:
Bridges have always been feats of engineering and design, whether creating a simple crossing or an awe-inspiring link. They have been places to live, they can revitalise locations and can be a thing of spectacle and often, fun.
There are many bridges that informed our ideas, from curvy pedestrian bridge over River Irwell in Salford, to the proposed Thomas Heatherwick garden bridge. We studied bridges appearing to curve over themselves and others taking users on a journey.
We decided to design and craft a bridge that was relatively thin, framing views from each direction but more than just a bridge to cross. This bridge should not cover the shortest distance but sit diagonally across the torrents below. Inserting a step in the centre made the bridge a ‘destination’ in it’s own right – a place to relax and enjoy views captured up and down the river.
Covering this central destination gives weather protection, the place becoming a homage to occupied bridges, somewhere to stop and breathe, ascending to a grassed roof garden floating above. The mirrored treatment to each side frames views towards opposite banks whilst affording glimpses in other direction, changing as you pass through the middle. This presents the walker with a whole new experience of transiting something more than a bridge alone.
Dyson and buesnel architects
Formed in 2002, by the two architect / directors, Jon Dyson and Colin Buesnel, Dyson and Buesnel Architects has an extensive ‘completed’ project portfolio which has steadily grown over the past 12 years. Primarily we undertake extensions, refurbishments and new build residential projects of all sizes and scales, which include the simplest of extensions, individual private houses, private developments and large scale social housing developments. Exceptions to this, includes projects such as the new Jersey Oyster Company building.
As a practice we tailor our services to suit our clients needs and the design philosophy of the practice has been developed on an understanding of traditional hand drawing / CAD drawings and 3d computer modeling. Our approach to architecture and our projects is not styled or predetermined and we strive to bring added value to all our projects big and small that both meet and exceed our client’s aims and aspirations, whilst recognizing both a projects specific location and its wider context.
Bridge rationale
Our bridge design is based on a traditional and recognisable rationale with a raised deck spanning between two primary hexagonal supports. The bridge deck is accessed via the angled entrance/exits at either end which are embellished with individual markers to each side and a formal gateway entrance/exit at each end of the bridge deck.
Structurally the bridge exploits the limited performance of its base ‘lego’ material to its maximum with the raised deck supported by a linear frame to each side and cross bracing from beneath, which are identified by the 4 central towers. Additional structural bracing is provided from the hexagonal bases in the form of the four buttresses.
In simple terms we would describe our bridge as functional, symmetrical, elegant and very colourful.!!!
Page architects
Page Architects was founded in 2003, by George De Sousa and Paul Van Bodegom with the philosophy of creating architecture that would exceed the Clients expectations.
“The Practice has established its first class reputation from the expansion of the initial idea right through to the delivery of high quality projects both on time and within budget.
We enjoy taking on challenging projects which has seen the practice portfolio develop to include contemporary bespoke homes, housing developments, apartments, a health clinic, schools and social housing.
We believe that design solutions should be fitting to its time, place and Location. We have no single house style as each project is unique to reflect both the Client’s brief and the site.”
Bridge rationale
When we set the challenge of making a bridge from Lego, George De Souza decided to take an alternative approach to the task. “I set about enrolling the services of my four year old son Xander and my eight year old daughter Sophia, to act not only as the Client but also for their design input and most importantly their Lego expertise, think box sets (Xander) versus the Master Builder (Sophia). Having recently all visited New York, it was agreed that the design of the bridge should be influenced by the Brooklyn Bridge.
During the construction process we all agreed to allow each other to personalize the Bridge to make it uniquely ours. This involved adding greenery and various landscape features (even the New York Ninja Turtles made an appearance) therefore making a living bridge which enhances the environment as well as being functional in the Lego world.
This Lego challenge highlighted the strong ethos of Page Architects through listening to the brief, developing design ideas through team work and most importantly trying to have fun in creating a piece of architecture.”
