RIBA Stirling Prize 2021: Tintagel Bridge

Tintagel Castle Footbridge, Cornwall
by Ney & Partners and
William Matthews Associates

This new bridge is beautifully executed at all scales, from the way it respects the silhouette of the landforms it abuts, down to the tactile detail of its path, made from slate on edge.
Retracing the approximate width and length of the natural land-bridge and castle structures that have long since fallen into the water, the bridge notionally links past with present and physically connects two stranded sections of the castle precinct. With its highly ceremonial presence, articulated in every piece of finely crafted stainless steel, it also allows contemporary visitors to retrace the steps of predecessors who would have passed through this section of the castle to gain entry to the grand hall on the island side.

Technical achievement and degree of difficulty metrics are high in this project where construction logistics and material specification have all been expertly handled.

This is much more than a bridge. It is a connector, an enabler, an interpreter and a spectacle all within its own right.

Visit our website to learn about the RIBA Stirling Prize: https://www.architecture.com/awards-a...

Image credit: Alan Crow, Hufton Crow