Auckland Council invited Warren and Mahoney to provide conceptual ideas for a replacement pedestrian bridge connecting Tamaki Drive to Parnell baths and the adjoining headland of Pt. Resolution/Taurarua.
The existing bridge, built in the 1930s was suffering severe structural fatigue and with the imminent electrification of Auckland’s rail network, the bridge needed to be raised.
The new contemporary Pt Resolution bridge was conceived as a series of three sculpted arches, in turn supporting and cradling a pedestrian deck.
Each arch was designed as a three dimensional sculptural element – an exoskeleton to support the pedestrian deck.
The deck consists of a simple shaped concrete beam – hull-like in shape alluding to the yachts and the harbour beyond.
A glass balustrade above the deck has a white interlayer or frit applied at its base to provide continuity to the concrete deck.
The deck is cantilevered out over the harbour to provide a new viewing platform and enhance the functionality of the simple bridge.
Both the concrete deck and the glass balustrade feature a collaborative artwork designed by Henriata Nicholas, a Māori artist.
The local artist has designed a custom pattern that speaks of movement and water and will be engraved into the concrete beam as well as the glass balustrade.
Its design will feature rippling water (puungarungaru) patterns to acknowledge Point Resolution’s significance to local iwi.
Location: Auckland, New Zeland
Architect: Warren andMahoney
Cost: $3.5 million
Year: 2013
Client: Auckland Council