Following an exciting win of the RIBA competition for National Highways to design the next generation of motorway gantries in the UK, Useful Studio are appointed by Lower Thames Crossing to develop the concept further. Working in close collaboration with Atkins Realis/Jacobs JV, we have developed the competition concept of a highly efficient family of parts that can adapt to the full suite of gantry requirements. The elegant 'kit-of-parts' solution reduces the carbon and material use by half, minimises on-site works, and is adaptable; from the short cantilever MS4 to the 60m superspan portal over 10 motorway lanes.

The architectural design of the gantries is wholly integrated with the structural solution, ensuring an ultra efficient design that minimises costs whilst maximising the environmental ambitions of the project through material reuse, circularity and efficiency. The primary structure will be made from low-carbon, electric-arc furnace steel. We have worked to optimise the size and shap of all key components, resulting in a 50% reduction in material for each gantry, and further material reductions have been achieved by replacing normal block foundations with a sculpted lean plinth. 

The rollout of this scheme across the UK will bring a new, pioneering identity to National Highways, reflecting the ambitious nature of this project.