Make-over for Collins St bridge
02 Aug 2011
The Collins St bridge in Docklands is to get a new look following a design competition sponsored by VicUrban.
Announcing the winner of the competition on July 25, VicUrban’s Docklands general manager Simon Wilson said Chroma by Edwards Moore Architects was selected for its elegance and simplicity, with clever use of light and colour.
Mr Wilson said one of the reasons for the Design for an Active City project was to protect pedestrians from the elements.
“The bridge will eventually melt into the street landscape and will look and feel like other parts of Collins St, with buildings on both sides, continuous tree plantings and activity from pedestrians and trams,” he said.
“However, while development is still in progress, there are sections of the bridge that are very exposed to the elements which is affecting the pedestrian experience from Southern Cross Station into Docklands.”
VicUrban will contribute $25,000 towards construction of the piece. It partnered with the State of Design Festival to produce the project as part of the State of Design Festival 2011.
The installation is expected to be completed in October 2011, and will be in place for at least three months.
In their submission, the artists predicted that pedestrians would be tempted to “mingle with the dancing light and colours”.
“Responding directly to the changes in light, shade and shadow to cast a seductive array of coloured light onto the pavement, and the pedestrians themselves. Step by step through this vibrant yet subtle rainbow gradation, pedestrians look out to the technicoloured landscape beyond: onto a coloured and emotional city. It is a dynamic interaction with a non-tangible aesthetic that is both poetic and emotive and constantly changing.”
“It is a kaleidoscopic event: providing an opportunity for spontaneous delight in an otherwise rigorous routine, providing a moment of release and a touch of tenderness in this harsh industrial environment. Fuelling the imagination of the pedestrian and providing the catalyst for daydreaming and playfulness.”
“The spirited and energetic colours a sharp contrast to the undressed urban landscape, whilst the minimal nature of the intervention restrains for enforcing a physical response – activating the individual’s interpretation and evoking a freedom of spirit.”
Stay in touch with Docklands. Subscribe to FREE monthly e-Newspaper.
Comments
-
This project is being installed, & it's already horribly flawed! The acrylic (not UV stable) sections aren't finished well so the edges are sharp. It's also a brittle plastic, so I'd say it'll be vandalized within a few days, missing sections will make it look awful. Not to mention the danger to pedestrians when it's windy, they bend a lot, so it’ll be a serious hazard to people’s heads.
-
Hrmmm... Well it's now less than a week, and the structure has already been taken down. What a total waste of someone's money!
-
So now we have a "perforated" bridge where all the bolts were driven into the bridge wall. Perhaps they could reinstall the bolts to reduce the risk of water affecting the concrete via the holes. Perhaps even put rainbow coloured covers on the bolt heads?
-
A pity to see that it was up for less than a week. The first two thoughts I had were; this is really great, followed by the image of a couple of yobs recklessly bending every section as the swaggered along. Have to agree that it was poorly made and felt sorry for the people fitting all those techscrews which where way too long. Still it would be worth redesigning and doing it again.
