The Dinosaurs of Crystal Palace are getting their bridge back! We've prepared overview banners of the motivation, inspiration, design and engineering of the bridge plans as we prepare the planning application. Have a look.
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Dinosaur Bridge - consultation banners
1. Bridge to Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. Public Consultation
Why is the site important?
The Democratisation of Big Ideas
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs and Geological Illustrations are a
Grade 1 Historic Site, not only as the birthplace of ‘Dinomania’, but
also as global firsts:
? First major public outreach on science
? First public outreach on natural history
? First reconstructions of extinct animals
? First depictions of dramatic changes to the planet and life on earth
? First staged explanations of Britain’s mineral wealth
The 30 sculptures and 10 geological reconstructions help us tell
the story of how science works. What we know is built on the best
evidence we have available at the time, this changes as more
and new data becomes available. How different are these historic
sculptures compared to modern scientific ideas of what the animals
should look like?
Thinking about changes to the earth and its inhabitants
is as important today as ever.
When the park opened in 1854, the public went wild for an experience of unknown worlds
and stupendous monsters. This section of the park was constructed to accompany the
relocation of the Crystal Palace from Hyde Park following the Great Exhibition of 1851.
The site is a walk through geologic time. From south to north,
the sculptures are positioned in a chronological sequence from
325 million years ago to the Ice Ages, almost the present day.
The Dinosaurs sit prominently on a series of islands on small lakes, situated within Crystal Palace Park.
Bridging the Gap - why we need a reliable bridge
Conservation Monitoring
We need to keep a regular eye on the condition of the sculptures. They are made of a complex of mixed materials, mostly dating
from 165 years ago, and they stand outside all year round. Our short film The Seven Deadly Agents of Destruction explains the
threats to the Dinosaurs, and Back to Life shows conservators at work.
Grounds Maintenance
The plants around the sculptures are part of the historic site. Some
need to be cut back and some need to be encouraged, with regular,
expert attention.
Interpretation
Getting up close and personal brings the story of the science and its
artistic representation to life. We offer guided tours for school groups,
fans and specialists.
Volunteer Engagement
Everyone wants to lend a hand to their favourite Dinosaur! There are
practical ways for people to pitch in.
We have a Palaeo Planting Project to give people a chance to help
out. We plan to put in a beehive at the right place in the time series to
demonstrate co-evolution of pollinators and flowers, but this will need
weekly visits.
Visualisation of the Bridge to the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs.
Bridge to Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Public Consultation
https://cpdinosaurs.org/bridge
time
weir
older
bridge in ‘open’ position
younger
2. What has inspired the design?
Nature & Evolution
The bridge is positioned off the southern end of the Dinosaur Islands, in
‘deeper time’ than the sculptures of the earliest land vertebrates emerging
from the waters. The bridge is inspired by the skeletal structures of fishes,
that dominated early seas.
The swinging bridge features a ‘linear spine’ that supports a steel plate,
off which a series of ‘ribs’ are folded - supporting the bridge deck and the
handrail. Like a living animal it moves, pivoting into its active or inactive
position. Like geometries in nature, the bridge features organic and curved
components that are shaped to provide structural support and stability.
Bridge to Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Public Consultation
Bridge to Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. Public Consultation
A bony fish skeleton.
How will the bridge be built?
Folded & Galvanised Steel Plate
The bridge has to be developed and assembled efficiently.
The ultra-lightweight structure uses minimal material and
touches the landscape lightly, achieving economy, material
efficiency, and sustainability.
Thin steel plates are laser-cut and folded to form the
balustrades, the struts, and the deck. The bridge learns
from biomimetic principles emerged through collaboration
among Tonkin Liu architects, engineers from Arup, and
scientists at the Natural History Museum.
The steel bridge structure is protected with a galvanized
coating, providing long-term protection and negating the
need for a paint finish which would require maintenance.
A design inspired by nature to be efficient and
effective.
Tonkin Liu Ltd, 5 Wilmington Square, London WC1X 0ES | 020 7837 6255 | www.tonkinliu.co.uk
no : 526 106
title: proposed bridge plan
job : dinosaur bridge
scale : 1:100 @ A3
revisions:
* - 08022019 issued for pre-app request
0 1 2 3 4 M
N
How are the Dinosaurs protected?
A Secure & Lockable Bridge
The bridge is constructed on a pivot to open and connect or close and disconnect. There will be
strict rules (covenants) on when the bridge can be opened to limit numbers and avoid further
damage to the sculptures. Historic England, Bromley (LBB), the GLA and IDverde, the park
maintenance contractor, will ensure there is enforceable control over security and access, as is
done for similar Grade 1 historic assets.
Maintenance and conservation work is the priority for access using the bridge. Public access will
be only be in tours and escorted by responsible parties such as volunteer sessions. It will not be
continuously open.
The safety and security of the island is achieved by the pivot motion, providing
temporary access when needed for events and maintenance.
Top: RA Model: Winner of BKI ARCHITECTURE & Material Prize.
Bottom: Bridge Plan, with rotation direction.
1
2
3
Balustrade
Deck
Strut
1
2
3
Steel sheet
Laser-cut geometry Unfolded geometry
1 Rotating Gate 2 Arching Spine 3 Folded Ribs 4 Waving Structure
no : 526 103
title: proposed elevation
revisions:
1:1 Scale prototype fabricated by Cake Industries
Note: Prototype is unfinished mild steel, the finished bridge will feature a galvanized coating.
https://cpdinosaurs.org/bridge