The structure had to make a connection between two busy sites and bridge the Grand Union Canal. The design concept conceived by Langlands & Bell was to create a “screen” that would not only host projected images and provide a safe walkway over the waterway but conceal an existing dilapidated building that runs parallel and within close proximity of the site.

Due to building restrictions and contamination issues from British Waterways concerning the bridging of the canal a construction methodology of prefabrication was implemented. The main “frames” were factory built and transported to the site like the columns and glazed cladding. Deck and stair elements were also designed and fabricated in this manner accelerating the construction time and reducing health and safety issues.

The planar and screening nature of the concept creates a different approach to the traditional bridge. The planar form per-forms both structurally with its depth to span the canal and also provided a fritted canvas that in the day time blurs the optical aspect and at night can host lighting and projection. The pedestrian passing over the bridge becomes part of the performance of light as a silhouette. In this sense it is an “interactive urban canvas” within Paddington Basin.