Infinity Bridge,
Stockton-on-Tees, UK

A strong reflection of the asymmetric steel arches in the water at night, forms the mathematical symbol for infinity (∞) – hence the name.
Client
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Concept Architect
Stephen Spence Architects
Bridge Designer
Expedition Engineering
Principal Contractor
Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering
Photographer
James Newton
Project Team
Jonathan Speirs, Keith Bradshaw

Designed by Expedition Engineering and architect Stephen Spence, this slender bowstring bridge in Stockton-on-Tees cuts a distinctive silhouette, inspired by the movement of a pebble skipping across water.


“
When it first opened the interactive deck lighting trended on social media for several weeks as the must see event in the City.”

We created the effect by bouncing blue light off the water to light the underbelly of the deck, forming a blue zone above the water. Cool white light picks out the structural form and creates the sense of a floating wave hovering just above the deck.

On the deck we programmed the light to respond to the presence of people, to both guide them down the walkway and to signal the approach of oncomers. LED units that light the deck are triggered to change from blue to white as people pass, leaving a ‘comet’s trail’ of light in their wake.


We also took great care to carefully conceal the lighting equipment, positioning it within the handrail and mounting it on outriggers away from the bridge, to preserve the magic of the effect and to protect pedestrians from glare.