Article source: NEXT architects 

NEXT architects are working on a unique series of bridges all over the world. This time, their latest design isn’t an intriguing bat bridge (nominated for the 2016 Dutch Design Awards), but an iconic bridge in China: the Lucky Knot. The new steel pedestrian bridge in the Chinese mega city Changsha is 185 metres long and 24 metres high and fits perfectly in the sequence of extraordinary bridges that characterise NEXT’s practice; by explicitly engaging with the local context, the bridge designs offer new perspectives.

The eye-catching Lucky Knot has down-to-earth Dutch roots: NEXT architects holds offices in Amsterdam and Beijing. In 2013, after the completion of their breathtaking Melkwegbridge in Purmerend, NEXT was invited to take part in an international competition to design a new bridge to be constructed over the Dragon King Harbour River in Changsha’s rapidly developing ‘New Lake District’. For this special commission, the teams in Amsterdam and Beijing joined forces to come up with the unique, winning design: the Lucky Knot. Combining the Dutch team’s expertise in infrastructure and water management and Chinese team’s perseverance and knowledge of the local context was a crucial part of the process. The bridge has already become an icon, and was selected by CNN as one of the “most spectacular bridges that break the mold.”

Image Courtesy © Julien Lanoo

• Architects: NEXT architects
• Project: Lucky Knot
• Location: Meixi Lake, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
• Photography: Julien Lanoo
  
• Client: Municipality of Changsha
  
• Advisor construction: CERI Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.
  
• Advisor lighting: H.G.lighting
  
• Main contractor: Capital Engineering & Research Incorporation Company limited
  
• Cost / Value: 50 million RMB
  
• Size / Span: 185 m
• Preliminary design: 12 / 2013
  
• Start building: 2014
  
• Completion: 09 / 2016

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