Footbridge in Kew Gardens, London

Shimmering Play of Light: A curved Footbridge is the new Gem in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew in southwest London are the home of the largest collection of plant species in the world. The gardens, which have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, are the oldest of their kind. The fame of the park is also based on the greenhouses that were erected in Victorian times. These have now been complemented by a further structure: The Sackler Crossing spans the larger of the two artificial lakes in the western part of the gardens. From a distance, it is scarcely visible, for the 25 mm slender bronze balustrade posts ensure a sense of transparency; and with their shimmering play of colours, they are also perfectly integrated into the surroundings. Viewed from the shore of the lake, however, the balustrade of this sinuously curving bridge appears as a continuous, closed wall because of the visual overlapping of the bronze sections.

Architect:John Pawson, London

Links: www.johnpawson.com
www.gilbertmccarragher.com­ ­