How does the Heatherwick Rolling Bridge work?

The Rolling Bridge was conceived by Thomas Heatherwick. To allow the passage of boats, the hydraulic pistons are activated and the bridge curls up until its two ends join, to form an octagonal shape measuring one half of the waterway’s width at that point. The bridge won the British Structural Steel Design Award.

What happens when a boat passes under the rolling bridge?

It is a magical retractable bridge. When a boat passes through the river, the bridge body will automatically roll up into a circular ring, so that the boat can pass smoothly. The bridge rolls up at noon every Friday.

What’s the name of the bridge in Paddington?

Paddington Basin’s Bridges in action Thomas Heatherwick’s Rolling Bridge performs every Wednesday and Friday at noon, and on Saturdays at 2pm. The Rolling Bridge was designed by the award-winning Heatherwick Studio, and installed at Paddington in 2004.

Why did Heatherwick Studio design the rolling bridge?

The Rolling Bridge spans an inlet off the main canal in London’s Paddington Basin. Whereas most opening bridges break apart to let boats pass through, the studio wanted to design a bridge that would get out of the way instead, using a softer mechanism to transform itself by mutating rather than fracturing.

When is the rolling bridge at Paddington Basin?

Wednesdays and Fridays at noon. Saturdays at 2pm. Thomas Heatherwick’s Rolling Bridge performs every Wednesday and Friday at noon, and on Saturdays at 2pm. The Rolling Bridge was designed by the award-winning Heatherwick Studio, and installed at Paddington in 2004.

How do you get out of Paddington station?

From Paddington station look for the Praed Street exits. Both the tube and train station have signs for this main road. Once on Praed Street, take the first immediate left turn onto South Wharf Road. This follows the edge of the station (at a higher level).