Birrarung Thread A Data-Driven Pedestrian Crossing
Team Name: Node & Vector - RMIT University
Members Xinpei Liu and Ryan Justice
The selected site occupies a strategic position between Burnley and South Yarra, where major transport infrastructure intersects with the ecological corridor of the Yarra River. While CityLink and the Burnley Depot establish strong east–west movement networks, they also create physical and visual barriers that limit pedestrian connectivity to the river edge.
The site is uniquely positioned to bridge these conditions, linking urban circulation, public open space, and river ecology. Environmental factors including prevailing south-westerly winds, solar orientation, and existing vegetation inform the proposal, while the river itself provides opportunities for recreation, habitat restoration, and public engagement. The analysis identifies the site as a point of convergence where infrastructure, landscape, and urban movement can be integrated into a continuous and accessible public realm.
Topology optimisation was employed to explore efficient material distribution within the bridge structure. Varying volume constraints generated distinct structural networks, revealing how load paths, continuity, and material efficiency influence the resulting form. These outcomes informed the development of the final architectural and structural proposal.
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