Whittle Arch and Glass Bridge, Coventry
About the Project
- Principal designer: Whitbybird
- Client: Coventry City Council
- Principal contractor: Butterley Construction
- Principal engineer: MacCormac Jamieson Prichard
- Contract value: £1 million
The Whittle Arch and Glass Bridge are part of Coventry's wider city centre regeneration programme, and are situated on the major central square, Millennium Place.
The 130m bridge provides direct access to the plaza and a viewing route over reconfigured gardens and the medieval city wall. Its main structure is a simple tube, supporting an intricate steel deck and balustrade system, which snakes up to form an unsupported 40m spiral down to the Garden of International Friendships, providing a 50m ramped walkway.The balustrade partially encases the structure and is hung with decorative patterned glass fins which are lit at night.
The arch is a dramatic tubular structure arching over the plaza, providing definition to the new hub of the city centre. Named after Sir Frank Whittle, one of Coventry 's famous sons and the pioneer of the jet engine, it measures more than 62m and follows Whittle by pushing technology.
The twin arches, which lean towards and support each other, each span 60m and are clad in stainless steel which is perforated to reveal its sinuous organic nature and increase light flow.
The Judges said:
"This is a key element in the ambitious art and architecture regeneration programme for the centre of Coventry . Its strong form helps to tie the ideas together."