Cundall's Zhuhai Banzhang Mountain Bridge has been recognised for its unique aesthetics and exemplary sustainability credentials with a shortlisting in the prestigious ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence. The remarkable footbridge design with its biophilic qualities also promotes sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, and public health benefits. Cundall worked closely with architect Holmes Miller to achieve and demonstrate excellence in design and delivery, embedding sustainability and incorporating innovative structural solutions.

The ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence has a distinguished reputation for recognising comprehensive and visionary real estate developments. This year they have shortlisted twenty-three exceptional projects in Asia Pacific, including developments by GAW Capital, Swire Properties Limited, Hang Lung Properties, JGL Properties, and China Resources Land.

“Being selected as one of the shortlisted projects in the region is an honour for us,” said Dong Chen, Partner and Asia structures lead.

“It signifies our unwavering commitment to the improving the built environment for people, and highlights our dedication to using innovative design to create positive outcomes for communities and the wider environment. We are humbled to be standing alongside esteemed architects and developers, and believe the collective acknowledgement exemplifies the level of excellence and inventiveness our profession strives for.”

The Zhuhai Banzhang Mountain Footbridge is a one-of-a-kind design that provides a unique leisure experience for local residents, allowing them to enjoy quality time in nature with their families.

The design of the bridge and the selection of materials were considered from both the sustainability and practicality perspectives. The engineers have designed the bridge using a mix of steel and reinforced concrete, taking advantage of the unique properties of each material. Steel, chosen for its strength, lightweight nature, and durability, offers several sustainable advantages. It is highly recyclable at the end of its life, contributing to a circular economy approach.

The unconventional curvy design of the footbridge required the team to seek innovative solutions to ensure durability, stability, and pedestrian comfort beyond conventional bridge standards. Advanced modelling techniques were utilised to address aspects such as pedestrian wind comfort, daylight, thermal comfort, and vibration comfort. These measures were taken to achieve excellence in performance and enhance the overall user experience.

By considering both sustainability and practicality in the selection of materials, the Zhuhai Banzhang Mountain Bridge showcases a holistic approach to sustainable design. The combination of steel and reinforced concrete not only ensures structural integrity but also contributes to the bridge's long-term environmental performance and resilience.