Moxon Architects' sensitive and cost-effective design supersedes a neighbouring historic structure, using recycled local granite and weathering steel in its understated form and winning an RIAS Award
2025 RIAS Award
Transport
Moxon Architects for Aberdeenshire Council
Contract value: Confidential
GIA: 7,250m2
The Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge has been built to improve access over the River Gairn in Aberdeenshire, within the Cairngorms National Park. It stands parallel to the Category A-listed Gairnshiel Bridge, built in 1749, which was no longer suitable for modern-day traffic.
Despite the implementation of weight restrictions in 2016, the historic bridge’s geometry, narrow width and tight approach created difficulty for many vehicles, resulting in regular collisions with its fabric that caused significant structural damage and disruptive road closures.
The new bridge by Moxon Architects has two lanes of traffic and is capable of carrying large goods vehicles, eliminating the need for 58km detours caused by bridge damage.
The architect is local to the area and engaged at an early stage – pro-bono – with the community and local authority client to generate and develop the project. The elegant new structure is not only a rare example of an architect working alongside an engineer to provide a structure closely tailored to its landscape, but it also allowed the adjoining historic, arched stone bridge to be carefully repaired and set aside for pedestrian use, thereby preserving it for the future.
The design features a slimline, bold geometry and robust materials including recycled, locally sourced granite for the parapets and embankments and weathering steel for the primary structure. As such, the new Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge is designed to have a distinct point of difference from the old, while also offering a contemporary interpretation of the original structure.
The new bridge maintains a slender profile by tapering the cross section of its lower portion. This delivers the necessary structural performance while making the construction depth appear thinner at the outer edges. The gently curved linear form of the bridge is carefully adapted to the landscape and is understated in deference to the historic arched bridge.
The simplicity of the design enabled it to be achieved for a cost only marginally more expensive than a conventional bridge. It is a fine example of how to integrate a modern vehicular bridge into a sensitive landscape, and will hopefully inspire other bridge projects.
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Credits
Contractor Wills Brothers
Structural engineer Arcadis
Steelwork supplier J&D Pierce Contracts