North Esk Pedestrian Bridge, University of Tasmania | John Wardle Architects

2022 Tasmanian Architecture Awards

2022 Tasmanian Architecture Awards

North Esk Pedestrian Bridge, University of Tasmania | John Wardle Architects

Urban Design

A pedestrian bridge traversing the North Esk River forms an important link between the University of Tasmania’s Inveresk campus and the City of Launceston.

The bridge is a shared pedestrian and cyclist pathway that connects the cultural, educational and sporting precinct of Inveresk with Willis St to Cimitiere St neighbourhood, south of the river.

The bridge is a simple and low linear form that sweeps over the river. The external materiality of the horizontal portion of the bridge is steel supported on tapered concrete piers. Steel cladding encases the bridge deck and structure and provides a streamlined continuous casing.

The bridge offers connectivity over the river providing that end of the city with ease of access to the Inveresk precinct. It’s a response to the university’s ambition for the campus to have a strong focus on ‘walkability’, enhance accessibility and encourage visitation to vibrant shared community spaces.

Client perspective:
“The bridge will encourage people to come and explore, learn and collaborate with each other at Inveresk, with a strong connection to the river and history of this significant place.

It is important that everyone in the community can easily move from the city to the Inveresk Precinct, which is a real heart of education, culture and sport for Launceston. The bridge will enable the life and vibrancy of the University campus to easily flow into the city. It will create a new pedestrian and cycle ‘street’ connecting the precinct to the CBD.”

Architect

John Wardle Architects

Practice team

John Wardle, Design Architect
Minnie Cade, Project Architect
James Loder, Project team
Nick Roberts, Project team
Adam Kolsrud, Project team
Mathew van Kooy, Project team