Oak Bridge

I was commissioned by a client in north Northumberland to design and build a bridge. The brief required the design to be narrower in the centre than at either end. I was prepared to undertake the commission on the understanding that I would engage a consultant architect, William McMorran of McMorran & Gatehouse, and a consultant engineer, Tim Lucas of Price & Myers.

I was asked by my client to visit a bridge at Luxmore's Garden, Eton College to view a design made by Jamie McCullough. A wonderful piece of design and engineering. I also visited the celebrated Mathematical Bridge at Queen's College, Cambridge for inspiration.



William McMorran suggested that I keep the design simple and develop the theme of my Elliptic seat series. Andy Hayne, then working for Price & Myers made a field visit with William McMorran to ascertain the scale, orientation and dimensions required. We visited the maritime boat collection at Eyemouth to see if we couldn't use some of the design principles embodied in a number craft on view. Andy Hayne thereafter came up with a sketch which suggested the use of seven beams which would form a solid deck, onto which the balustrade and sheathing could be attached. Sketch drawings were made, presented and accepted.



A scratch model was made by me to a scale determined by William McMorran and shown to the client, who accepted it. There was discussion as to whether or not it could have just one clinker skin rather than two, but the original design prevailed.