This is a great design for a bridge. It retracts into itself like one of those rolly-polly bugs. It’s creator is Thomas heatherwick and it’s an award-winner as well as a fantastic addition to the grand union canal system in london. There are other movable canal bridges, but the rolling bridge curls up on itself to form an octagon by using hydraulics. Check out the video below to see it in action. It’s always nice to see a fresh take on an old theme. Turns out London bridges aren’t falling down, they’re just moving.

[Flickr]