Brian Fell

Ha-Ha Bridge (2006)

Country Park

In creating the Ha-Ha Bridge for YSP, Fell has provided an elegant design which also reveals further levels of meaning. By incorporating the word itself into the sides of the bridge he not only refers directly to the ha-ha beneath but also provides an amusing reminder of the original coining of the term derived from the cry of surprise at discovering a boundary.

At the same time, he also evokes the sound of laughter, expressing the joy of being amongst nature and this too relates to the historic pleasure gardens of the estate. However, the lettering not only provides a reminder of the reason for a ha-ha but on one side the structure of the lettering itself links directly to the structure of trusses which would support and strengthen a large bridge, so he also pays homage to the engineering skills and industrial processes of bridge building in general. The formal simplicity of the bridge is precise and cleverly crafted, whilst the mellow surfaces of the corten steel beautifully complement the surrounding area.