• © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

  • © Simon Kennedy

    © Simon Kennedy

of

Public Realm

King's Cross industrial past inspires Moxon Architects and Arup bridge design

Esperance Bridge joins Regent's Canal with Coal Yards retail district and takes its bold colour from the simple design of past railway bridges

by Connor Gill 30 December 2021 Metal in architecture

The bridge's structure is made primarily of painted carbon steel with a truss form. The bridge’s bold red colour highlights its form while complementing the colouration of the neighbouring cityscape.

The bridge is fitted with integrated lighting, designed by Studio-29, which aims to create a visually exciting and safe route for the public to cross with ease between Granary Square and Kings Cross.  The lighting strategy allows the bridge to be brought to life, and serves as a wayfinding element within the wider urban context. The bridge forms a focal point over Regent’s Canal and creates a new vantage point over the estate.

The bridge’s name, Esperance, meaning "hope" in French was chosen by local children from King’s Cross Academy. 

We are proud to be part of the collaboration with King’s Cross and architect Moxon on the Esperance Bridge, together with Galldris and SH Structures. The highly crafted steel truss bridge creates an active travel corridor over this popular section of the Regent’s Canal for pedestrians. The design expresses the functionality of the structural behaviour of a truss bridge but contrasts this with the slenderness of the stainless-steel diagonal elements.

Martin Hooton, Associate, Arup

Want to submit your project to World Architecture News?

Contact The Team