# Rolling Bridge Curls Itself into a Ball By POPEYE | Published 2007-03-08 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rolling-bridge-curl-itself-into-a-ball References: [blog.wired](http://blog.wired.com/wiredphotos42/2007/02/rolling_bridge.html) & [heatherwick](http://www.heatherwick.com/) This bridge looks like an ordinary [outdoor sculpture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1), but actually it is a hydraulic bridge that can uncurl itself for incoming boat traffic. This is one of many projects by Thomas Heatherwick, who [BBC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/physical-wearables-collection) refers to as the new Leonardo da Vinci. The 12-meter bridge is made of [steel and timber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fw-ji-covered-bridge-on-aqueduct); hydraulic rams in the handrails between the bridge's eight sections help it to curl and unfold. **Implications** - Bridges are instantly recognizable fixtures in a city's landscape, and many are international landmarks; unfortunately, many bridges haven't received a design update for decades. Innovative modern bridges that coil and unfurl to accommodate boat traffic keep waterways efficient without becoming eyesores or interfering with the cityscape. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Hydraulic Structures:** Innovative designs for hydraulic structures can help keep waterways efficient without interfering with the cityscape. - **Flexible Design:** Adopting flexible design in architecture can lead to more efficient infrastructure solutions. - **Functional Sculpture:** Creating functional sculptures that serve a practical purpose can lead to eye-catching and innovative infrastructure solutions. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture and Design:** There are opportunities for architects and designers to create innovative and functional structures that improve efficiency. - **Urban Planning:** Incorporating flexible and visually appealing infrastructure into urban planning allows for more efficient and practical cityscapes. - **Construction Engineering:** Innovations in steel and timber construction, as well as hydraulic systems, open up new opportunities for engineers to design efficient hydraulic structures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Physically Looped Canal Boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/looptheloop-boat.md) - [Spirally Viewpoint Bridge Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/g-clef-bridge.md) - [Sculptural Pedestrian Bridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asiatdarse.md) - [Welded Steel Cantilevered Footbridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptural-footbridge.md) - [Triple Path Footbridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/three-waves-footbridge.md) - [Artful Cartoonish Canal Bridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canal-skybridge.md) - [Interactive Kinetic Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-kinetic-sculptures.md) - [Pedestrian Viaduct Extension](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vincent-boutin.md) - [Taiwan Coastal Bridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-danjiang-bridge.md)