Client: Auckland Airport

Architect: Monk Mckenzie

Status: Unrealised

Novare Design in partnership with Monk Mackenzie participated in the bridge design competition for Auckland Airport - George Bolt Memorial Drive Pedestrian Bridge. The creation myth of New Zealand, the splitting of Heaven and Earth - Ranganui and Papatuanuku - is the most fundamental story of New Zealand. This became the concept that all else must resonate with. The form of the bridge began as a singular fluid curve in elevation - a pure line in trajectory. This line represents the dividing line between Heaven and Earth. 

The polished stainless-steel surface of the bridge becomes extremely important. The bridge is 216 metres in length – to allow for the approach ramp gradients and a vertical clearance of 6.2 metres above George Bolt Memorial Drive. The abutment approaches at the eastern and western extents are 48 metres in length each meaning the 3-span portion of the bridge over George Bolt Memorial Drive is 120 metres. The abutments at the eastern and western ends of the bridge are formed using earth with landscaped edges and a concrete slab forming the walking surface. The primary structure – the central spine running longitudinally along the length of the bridge between abutments is a box girder formed out of weathering steel.

The cladding of the bridge, its most visually dynamic component, is a 1.5mm SAE molybdenum-alloy 316 grade mirror finish stainless steel. This is panelised and attached to the ribs in a series of secondary structure girts that follow the geometry of the panelisation.