Ray Hall Ltd

The River Thames is the life blood of London; an artery that should be at the heart of what many see as the greatest city on Earth. Yet it has become - not a unifier - but a barrier dividing north from south. Raymond Hall's Living Bridge project aims to remedy that - and in a very dramatic way. Conceived for Living Bridge Developments Ltd - a company he established with two others - the bridge would be at grade on a route designated as the Silver Town Link from the Greenwich Peninsular on the south toward the Royal Docks on the north side of the Thames.

It would have a central opening section for shipping. Its northern and southern arms would then accommodate some 500 dwellings, a hotel and restaurant facilities in two large triangles of space that would cast no shadow on the adjacent river banks. The bridge would house tidal turbines and use ground and river source heating - as well as wind, solar and photovoltaic techniques - to generate electricity. Marinas are possible within river shields protecting the scheme