__ SRLA, in collaboration with NMP Architects, secured a groundbreaking second place in the Memorial Bridge competition. This multilayered concept bridges both sides of the Liffey, aiming to heal historical trauma through thoughtful landscape design and inspire hope for the future.
The Irish War Memorial Gardens Commemorative Bridge elegantly spans the Liffey River, uniting a once-divided landscape and creating a symbolic moment in time and space. Rich in cultural symbolism, the design features healing gardens and standing stones to evoke reflection and remembrance. Stone abutments emerge naturally from the terrain, signifying the unity and collective strength of soldiers reaching for a common goal. Engravings inspired by Harry Clarke’s illustrations will adorn the site, educating visitors about the Great War, our ancestral history, and the native flora and fauna of the Liffey. Memorial Bridge aims to create a harmonious, educational, and reflective user experience, celebrating the landscape's historical and natural significance.
__ The concept for Memorial Bridge was based on five ideas; “Connection to Nature”, “In Togetherness”, “The Leap”, “A Cultural Landscape” and “Time to Heal”. The bridge embodies a moment in time and space where the leap is finally connecting the divided landscape, bringing the two sides together and allowing for the symbolic healing of the wounds of the past.