Overview

The Sylvania Way Bridge spans the Forth & Clyde canal within Clydebank town centre. The existing 25 year old metal latticework canopy was frequently criticised for being ‘unsightly’ and so the Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland (RIAS) and Clydebank Re-built, Clydebank’s pathfinder urban regeneration company, launched a competition to design an iconic canopy structure. Entered by over 60 architects across the world, the winning design judged to be a proposal from the Glasgow-based office of RMJM.

Design solution
Project Architect Neil McLean explains that ‘inspiration for the canopy was a swan in flight over the canal, with two long cantilevering wing spans emerging from a central supporting steel structure. I wanted to design something that was both beautiful and sustainable... to represent the natural environment of the river, canal and mudflats downstream, which are well known for attracting a diverse range of bird species. It was also symbolic of the community rising to take on a new life as part of the town’s wider regeneration plans.’

Fabric Architecture was appointed by Clydebank Re-built, alongside contractor Gray and Dick Ltd, to realise this impressive structure. Objectives were not only to accomplish the design’s beautiful aesthetic, but also to offer a practically engineered solution to cover the 40m span.

Practical realisation of the concept was vital to the success of the project and the design team worked hard to reflect the architect’s concept. Due to the location of the structure, the connection of the canopy to the new framework was completed in just one week adjacent to the site. Once the vast canopy was tensioned, the entire assembly was lifted into place by a 120T crane.