The S-shaped form of the Sackler Crossing appears to float just above the surface of the lake at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew. Constructed on a concealed steel frame, the deck consists of granite planks with solid bronze cantilevered vertical uprights providing the balustrade. The bridge reflects in the water and the water is reflected in the bronze of the uprights.

The lighting treatment is simple, understated and in tune with the mercurial nature of the design. Just under 1000 custom high-output white LED uplights are recessed in the granite planks of the bridge deck at either side, between each bronze upright. They gently illuminate the inner surfaces of the uprights, as well as reflecting light on to the deck and people crossing the span. The small-diameter fittings were developed with the single 1W LEDs set low down to minimise the visibility of the source. An additional frosted glass disc hides the bezel and reduces glare.

The crossing is put in context after dark with gentle highlighting to specimen trees on the adjacent island which creates visual interest and a focal point in the landscape. Cool white ceramic metal halide spots and floodlights are combined, some fitted with custom blue toughened-glass filters. Depending on the direction of approach across the bridge, the trees are either silhouetted in blue light with the front face picked out in white light, or vice versa.

As the Royal Botanic Gardens remain mainly dark at night, the bridge softly shimmers in the darkness as if lit by moonlight and reflects in the water of the lake.