Client Success Story, With Help From Autodesk

29th August, 2010

The Customer
Oxigen is an Australian company, focusing on Landscape Architecutre, urban Design and Planning. oxigen have offices in Canberra and South Australia. Oxigen were successful in winning the contract to build the Torrens Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge. oxigen worked closely with IMAGINiT Technologies to deliver an award winning design.

The Challenge
The Torrens Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge provides an important link in Stage 5 of the Adelaide City Council's Park Lands Trail connecting some of Adelaide's key destinations with the northern side of the river. This is the first major pedestrian bridge to be built over the river Torrens within the City since the university of Adelaide Footbridge was opened in 1937.

The bridge facilitates easier access for pedestrians and cyclists to the Adelaide Zoo, Botanic Park and the Adelaide Botanic Gardens as well as linking the city with North Adelaide and the north east suburbs where previously connec- tions were limited to the hackney road and Frome road bridges, both of which are predominantly vehicular crossings. The new bridge specifically caters for pedestrians and cyclists and unifies existing pathways on both sides of the river, serving visitors to Botanic Park and its surrounding attractions, recreational users and commuters.

It also provides an important link within the popular Linear Park and allows for pedestrians and cyclists to experience the river from a different perspec- tive, free from noise and traffic. Located on a peaceful section of the river set amongst steep banks and tall eucalyptus trees, the bridge provides beautiful views up and down the river and draws people into the space, thus gaining a greater appreciation of the Torrens and its environment.

The Solution
Because of the specialist nature of the work oxigen does as Landscape Architects, it was decided that two of ImAGINiT Technologies industry specialists, a Civil and a mechanical specialist, be sent to discuss these challenges.

Two solutions were recommended, AutoCAD Inventor for the Structural engeiering, bridges, path furniture, and light poles, plus AutoCAD Civil 3D for terrain modelling and design layout.

Oxigen's greatest benefits came from IMAGINiT's unique training and mentoring arrangement. IMAGINiT Technologies placed industry experts in both AutoCAD Inventor and Civil 3D at their disposal, allowing oxigen staff to quickly grasp the most crucial features of these powerful products and integrate them into their practises. With this on-site training and mentoring approach, designed by IMAGINiT Technologies, both productivity and quality exceeded expectations as new systems and procedures were implemented into the operational workflow of the organisation.

The Result
With IMAGINiT's assistance, oxigen have delivered an award winning bridge. Adelaide City Council and the Australian Institute of Architects awarded oxigen the prestigious annual Adelaide Prize at the 2010 SA Architecture Awards for the river Torrens bridge.

The new bridge was delivered under budget, exceeded the vision of its brief, and was a delight for its users. The bridge demonstrates pride in the public realm as a subtle sculpture capturing the moment of ‘crossing'.

This is the first new river crossing in Adelaide since 1937 and as well as representing important public infrastructure, the bridge is seen as an object of art.

The design of the bridge is gently curved, supported on a light steel structure and built with a unique web-forged deck and rubber granule infill. LeD lighting has been used in the handrails and bollards, illuminating the winning features of the bridge from day to night.

"The new bridge demonstrates how great design can enhance our appreciation of space and nature, and simply shows us how things should be done," the Chairman of the Adelaide City Council Adelaide Prize Jury, David Gilbert, said.

Weighing a total of 18 tonnes and spanning 27 metres, the bridge over the river Torrens connects Northern Adelaide with the Adelaide Zoo and the Botanic Gardens. It has provided walkers, joggers and bike riders an alternative route to the City since its official opening in February.

"The new crossing has connected exercisers, workers and school children safely and peacefully to and from the City, making it easy to see some of the City's major attractions," Adelaide Lord mayor michael harbison said.

"Its conventional yet artistic design makes the bridge an exceptional project to be awarded the Adelaide Prize."

For more on the success story, visit: http://blogs.rand.com/imaginitnews/2010/08/imaginit-client-success-story-oxigen.html