Espérance Bridge
As well as creating a clear connection and a safe active travel corridor over this popular section of the Regent's Canal, the painted steel bridge forms a spectacular focal point and wayfinding element within the wider cityscape.
Inspired by the area’s industrial heritage, the highly crafted carbon steel bridge takes its bold colour and form from Regent’s Canal’s lost railway bridges, while mirroring the original structure of its nineteenth century predecessor, an industrial bridge used to transport coal to the historic Goods Yard.
The highly crafted steel truss bridge features bold and sculptural curved steelwork, including an innovative three-dimensional balustrade and contrasting slender stainless-steel diagonal elements.
The bridge’s repetitive modular form creates an intricate design from of a series of simple elements, while carefully considered nodal connections offer a smooth transition between each one. Together these design details fully exploit the properties of steel and its potential for structural craftsmanship.
This is the second bridge for King’s Cross designed by Moxon. It is designed in collaboration with Arup and fabricated by specialist steelwork fabricator SH Structures.
‘An elegant, pragmatic solution that is carefully crafted and beautifully made. This pedestrian bridge adopts the alignment of a historic bridge with its design appropriately reflecting the site’s industrial heritage. Thoughtful detailing of the curved steelwork to create the three-dimensional sculptural balustrade fully exploits the properties of steel and the potential it offers.’
‘Espérance Bridge shows that public infrastructure can be visually compelling - a stylish and accomplished project that adds to the architectural richness of its locale.’
AJ Awards Citation
‘The bridge demonstrates a highly collaborative attitude to design and forms part of a resilient infrastructure system in the King’s Cross development plan, improving connectivity, enhancing civic space and contributing to a sense of community.’
The Institution of Structural Engineers
‘It was lovely to see the children choose such a beautiful name. It will stand the test of time.’
Chrissy Pullen, King's Cross Partnership
Named by the Children of the King's Cross Academy and inspired by the Espérance Club (1895-1914), a pioneering social project for local sewing girls created by two radical suffragettes, Mary Neal and Emmeline Pethick Lawrence.
