Few places evoke such a sense of history, myth and legend as this
barely attached headland forming part of the remarkable rugged
View of east elevation
View towards island looking northwest
Tintagel Bridge - Overall Design Concept
Layers of history over time
Natural stratification in slate rock
Cornish coastal landscape. It is a site that demands an intervention
exhibiting only a light touch, with minimal foundations, recreating a
connection that seeks not to compete with the historic remains, but
rather serves to enhance the site’s dramatic nature while improving
accessibility for all.
Our bridge design, leaving uninterrupted space below, emphasises
a feeling of lightness and daring in a single span over the narrow
Laminated timber beam isthmus to reconnect the two parts of Tintagel castle.
Constructed from oak and stainless steel (using the simply supported
structural typology as the optimum non-disruptive foundation
solution) the elements of the bridge are made up from a series
of small components that are wheeled to site and assembled
in-situ. The bridge deck is straight and relatively narrow, with
stratified components, solid in the centre and perforate at the
edges, accentuating its linearity. This layering is inspired by the
striking abundance of slate at the site - the layering of the material
representing a physical reminder of the passing of time.
Man-made slate wall
 +54.10m

+54.03m +57.33m

N +58.09m

Bridge plan, scale 1:200

+57.33m
57.33m
5 7.3
33m +58.09m

+54.10m +54.03m

East elevation, scale 1:200

1. New slate threshold wall 4. Oak beam

2. Continuous stainless steel handrail with ‘soft’ 5. Uni-directional sliding bearing
knurled finish 6. Reinforced concrete pile cap
3. Framed stainless steel tension mesh 7. 5-6m long reinforced concrete piles

1 2 3 4

Abutment sections, scale 1:100

Step free route to island

Stepped route to island

Abutment plans, scale 1:100 Masterplan, scale 1:2500

Tintagel Bridge - Masterplan

 2400m
CLEAR WIDTH

2 X 90 3 X 88 1 X 90 4

10

11 X2 18 X4 6 X 88 5 X 88

11

12

15 X2 16 X 26 11 X4 11 X4 11 X4 11 X4

14 X 24 17 X 48

13 X8 13 X8 13 X 16 13 X 16 12 X4
18

13

Typical cross section, scale 1:20

1. Continuous stainless steel handrail with ‘soft’ 6. Blackened stainless steel frame to grillage 12. Stainless steel bracing rods
knurled finish 7. Stainless steel transverse tension tie 13. Stainless steel lower chord rods
2. Shaped stainless steel parapet post with 8. Longitudinal stainless steel strap 14. Stainless steel coupler
polished finish to outer surface 9. Oak beam 15. Fabricated stainless steel end frame
3. Framed stainless steel tension mesh 10. Stainless steel plate with knurled anti-slip finish 16. Stainless steel splice plate
10 X 100 4 9 X 102 4 9 X 10 4 9 X 10 4 9 X 12 7 X 42 4. Stainless steel insert with knurled anti-slip finish to exposed edge 17. Stainless steel fork ends
to exposed edge 11. Stainless steel compression struts 18. Fabricated connection node
Bridge component diagram 5. Blackened stainless steel grillage

Tintagel Bridge - Architectural/Engineering Quality

 1. Continuous stainless steel handrail with ‘soft’ 5. Stainless steel insert with knurled anti-slip finish to 9. Blackened stainless steel grillage
knurled finish exposed edge 10. Longitudinal stainless steel strap
2. Framed stainless steel tension mesh 6. Stainless steel plate with knurled anti-slip finish to 11. Stainless steel bracing rod
3. Shaped stainless steel parapet post with polished exposed edge 12. Stainless steel compression strut
finish to outer surface 7. Stainless steel transverse tension tie 13. Stainless steel lower chord rod
4. Oak beam 8. Blackened stainless steel frame to grillage

1 2 3 8 9

7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
6 4
Exploded axonometric showing layering of deck structure
10
Atelier One has carried out detailed structural analysis
of the bridge in accordance with Eurocode design
criteria and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges
(DMRB). This has been used to optimise the section
sizes and foundation design shown.
ULS bending moment diagram Capacity ratio diagram

Deflections diagram Dynamic analysis diagram - vertical mode Dynamic analysis diagram - lateral mode

11
Stage A1 Stage A2 Stage A3 Stage A4

12

13

Stage A5 Stage A6 Stage A7 Stage A8

Construction methodology , Option A - Rope access solution

Stage B1 Stage B2 Stage B3 Stage B4

Exploded axonometric showing structural composition Construction methodology , Option B - Scaffolding solution

Tintagel Bridge - The Fabrication, Installation, Technological and Performance Challenge

 View of bridge looking north

Elevated view of bridge looking southeast View of bridge soffit from existing timber bridge View of bridge looking toward island

Tintagel Bridge - Pedestrian Journey, Context and Design Quality