World-renowned architects are in the shortlist to design the Upper Orwell Crossing in Ipswich, it has been revealed.

Ipswich Star: A bridge designed by Marc Mimram in ParisA bridge designed by Marc Mimram in Paris (Image: Archant)

Suffolk County Council has this morning published its five-name shortlist, which includes Willis Building designers Foster and Partners, Knights Architects which worked on the A14 Viaduct, and Paris-based Marc Mimram who was the architect for the Roland Garros Stadium.

Toronto-based Adamson Associates, with William Matthews Associates and Ney and Partners, were also announced as a joint shortlist as well as Wilkinson Eyre with FHECOR and EADON Consulting.

The shortlist was selected by the Royal Institute of British Architects on behalf of Suffolk County Council, with its criteria including experience of collaborating on major infrastructure projects, working within a multi-disciplinary team environment, and designing projects of architectural distinction with a complexity, scale and/or budget similar to that required on the Upper Orwell Crossings scheme.

The appointed architectural team will join an existing project team led by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff which will be responsible for providing structural and civil engineering input to the project.

Ipswich Star: The Gateshead Millenium Bridge designed by Wilkinson EyreThe Gateshead Millenium Bridge designed by Wilkinson Eyre (Image: Archant)

Suffolk county councillor with the responsibility for delivering the Upper Orwell Crossings, Guy McGregor said: “We have received some excellent interest in the project from architectural teams that have delivered major bridge projects both in the UK and internationally.

“I look forward to assessing the tender concepts in December.”

The five short-listed teams will be invited to present their design concepts to the judging panel, chaired by Sir Michael Hopkins, in mid-December 2016 with the winner scheduled to be announced in early 2017.

Ben Gummer, MP for Ipswich, said: “I am very excited by the strong list of short-listed architectural teams. In this shortlist we have the wealth of talent, experience, variety and quality we need to design the beautiful bridges our town deserves.

Ipswich Star: On the River Orwell passing under the Orwell Bridge.On the River Orwell passing under the Orwell Bridge. (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

“I am looking forward to seeing their ideas.”

Ipswich Star: The Hearst Tower in Manhattan was designed by Adamson AccosciatesThe Hearst Tower in Manhattan was designed by Adamson Accosciates (Image: Archant)