Bow Riverside, footbridge and towpath

The complex roadway and massive structures at Bow Roundabout previously made the River Lea an almost secret green world. This bridge reconnects the river to its neighbourhood and creates a series of distinct, connected river-oriented spaces. The singular cladding of timber fins and their shifting shadows echoes the reeds growing in the new spaces between structure and land and the cranked plan emphasizes the connection between towpath and water, whilst reducing the impact of ramps on the site and slowing down cyclists.

Below the A11 a floating towpath adds colour and warm light, amplifying movement on the water and reducing daytime contrast to feeling safer.

Press: Architects Journal 'Bridging Bow' March 2012

This brilliant little urban intervention, specific and local in context but important in strategic significance, demonstrates how to effortlessly integrate the provision of new infrastructure with people movement, new habitat creation and public art, whilst enhancing the existing character of a place with subtlety and imagination. Without doubt it is one of the best examples in London of how to design local movement infrastructure, it sets a benchmark for projects to follow in the Lea River Park and Design for London is proud to have been involved in making it happen.