M4 Airport Interchange Bridges, Dublin
The roundabout bridges were conceived as a 'ring' encircling an internal landscape shaped to form a 'dish'. The front view of the bridge tapers along its length giving an impression of lightness; the deck recedes from the motorists' view as he approaches the roundabout and enters the 'dished landscape'. The pier, in contrast, is designed with sharp lines so that the form is clearly visible to the motorist traveling at speed. The dynamic form echoes the grandeur of air travel. The abutments are designed to merge with the deck so that the raised road has the appearance of being 'anchored' to the ground. The pier, however, is set-back to give the impression that the deck is floating; suspended in flight.
M4 Airport Interchange Bridges, Dublin » View of profiled concrete pier
Photographer: Ros Kavanagh