Helix Footbridge Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Skypark Wins Awards

The annual IStructE Singpoare Structural Awards has honoured two projects of Arup Singapore: The DNA-inspired Helix Footbridge, and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Sands SkyPark in Singapore.

Both the Arup projects scooped top prizes in two of the three award categories at the annual IStructE Singpoare Structural Awards conducted by the Institute of Structural Engineers (ISE). The Helix Footbridge by Arup Singapore, inspired by the geometric arrangement of DNA, has won The Award for Infrastructure 2010, recognising the project’s innovation, ease of construction, sustainability and aesthetic value. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Sands SkyPark won the inaugural IStructE Singapore Award for Structures 2010.
The Helix scheme was conceived as a double helix stainless steel footbridge of pure and complete structural engineering accomplishment that cancels out the need of superficial architectural beautification. Arup’s intelligent use of modeling the DNA conformation into a standout structure has enabled The Helix to convey elegance with an added dimension of innovativeness.

The DNA- inspired 280m-long footbridge forms part of a 3.5km continuous waterfront promenade that wraps around Marina Bay. This landmark bridge’s two 'seem to be' delicate helix structures are designed to act together as a tubular truss, inspired by the inbuilt strength of the curved DNA molecule. A method of effectively linking the two helices was established using Arup’s own 3D software.

The Helix also has the distinction of being the world’s first curved double-helix bridge. It offers pedestrians a direct connection between Marina Centre, the waterfront area and Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.
Conceived by architect Moshe Safdie, Marina Bay Sands is a waterfront resort complex complete with hotels, retail offerings, parks, theatres, convention centre, casino and museum. This architecturally complex structure boasts many engineering firsts, including the world’s longest public cantilever. Arup was responsible for multidisciplinary engineering including advanced works, infrastructure, structural, civil, fire and geotechnical engineering, traffic, façade and acoustic consulting and risk management.


The Institute of Structural Engineers’ (ISE) Conference on Structural Marvels was held at Marina Bay Sands from 13-14 December 2010, which presented the awards. The award ceremony was introduced in 2010 to recognise the growing number of structural marvels unravelling in Singapore.

Source: World Interior Design Net Work