Efficient and elegant design wins gantry contest

15/03/2023 | CHRIS AMES

National Highways has unveiled the winning design in its competition to create the ‘gantry of the future’ for its network.

The competition was organised in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and saw 32 entries from architectural firms from across the UK and Europe.

The winning entry was created by Useful Studio, which will now work with National Highways to develop its design concept, with a view to it becoming the standard design for new roads and major upgrades from around two years’ time.

National Highways said that with a current tally of 3,500 gantries, ‘we won’t be immediately replacing structures’.

The national roads operator said the winning design (pictured immediately below) features a simple, pared-back design approach and was chosen by the judging panel ‘for its elegance and simplicity, and how cohesive the design concept was across a range of different structures’.

It added that the design is projected to have a reduced carbon footprint and that where existing designs tend to be heavily engineered, with an emphasis on function over form, it has been seeking a more ‘streamlined, elegant and consistent visual appearance’.

The winning entry uses less steel than existing designs and pre-weathered steel, which ages better than painted steel, meaning potentially lower maintenance requirements.

It can be adapted for different types of structures including those spanning all carriageways.

Executive director for operations Duncan Smith said: ‘In selecting Useful Studio as the winner, the judging panel admired the simplicity and elegance of the pared-back design approach, and the opportunities it presented in terms of a resource efficient, standardised, coherent suite of gantry structures that would be potentially sympathetic to a broad range of settings and contexts.’

Jonathan McDowell, RIBA architect adviser said: ‘It is very encouraging that National Highways is actively engaging the design community in helping to improve the design of these ubiquitous but cumbersome parts of the motorway experience.

‘We enjoyed seeing a wide range of interesting ideas, including those which challenged National Highways' current practices.’

National Highways added that although security issues did not form part of the original specification, the new design will be more resilient to trespassers due to entry being concealed within the pillars.

It said other entries also demonstrated a range of fresh thinking and innovation in approach to the design, including wood composite and LED panel-based designs, ‘as well as identifying the challenge of removing gantries completely in favour of in-vehicle displays’.

A design by John McAslan+Partners (above) won second place in the competition and three other concepts were highly commended by the judging panel.

Commended schemes

Kevin Kelly Architects and Stand Engineers. This submission was commended by the Judging Panel for its incorporation and best proposed use of timber componentry.

Hooman Talebi with Farshad Nasiri, Ehsan Masoud, Minoo Mashhadi, Raziyeh Rasapour, and Homa Farjadi. This submission was commended by the Judging Panel for its proposed use of digital screen technology to turn the gantry into a singular information-based object.

Knight Architects This submission was commended by the Judging Panel for proposing the best challenge to the continued and future need for overhead gantry structures.

The competition is part of National Highways' good design initiative and has been funded under its designated fund under the innovation and modernisation theme.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW