By Alexandre Marcos

1. 1st prize in international design competition
Shizimen Business District in Zhuhai, China

2. The Shizimen bridge, also known as the Infinity Loop bridge, is
the largest of the five proposed new bridges providing access
to the new Zhuhai Shizimen central business district across
the Shizimen canal and is scheduled to complete in 2014

3.  The essential challenge to architects and structural
engineers was to respond to the constraints and
opportunities presented by the site with a suitable structural
concept, form and materials, while also creating a landmark
for the new urban development.

4.  The resulting design uses conventional materials and
technology to create a structure that transcends the
utilitarian requirements of typical infrastructures.

5.  The primary structure of the
bridge is formed by a single,
continuous, undulating ribbon of
steel. The ribbon wraps around
and over the bridge deck forming
sculptural arches that provide
cable stay support for the road
deck as it crosses the 300
metre-wide canal opening. As
well as three lanes of traffic in
each direction, the bridge also
caters for pedestrian and cycle
paths on either side.

6.  Both pedestrian and cycle paths are a lower level to
provide vehicular traffic a more open view from the bridge,
while at the same time creating a visual and sound barrier
between pedestrian and cycles routes and road traffic.

8.  The deck is supported from the arches by cables attached at
both edges for the main span, and at one edge for the smaller
span.
 Piled foundations provide support to the structure at each
arch.