microscape constructs lotus flower pedestrian/cycling path
all images courtesy of pietro savorelli
the ‘lotus flower’ pedestrian and bike path transforms a 1km strip of neglected former rice paddy between the bozzano train station and the center of massarosa city. the site was in such a state of decay that the public was denied access entirely, thus making it imperative that that it be made anew, and given back to the community. ‘lotus flower’ was undertaken by microscape, with the goal to establish a balanced dialogue between nature, cultivation, and infrastructure.
wooden wharf
a large section of path — roughly 150m — crosses a marsh area with water several meters deep. here, a wooden wharf was created using laminated red spruce atop steel poles. materials were chosen for their low-maintenance needs — there will be little to none provided — and also for their harmonization within the dense marsh vegetation.
looking down the path on a foggy day
the project was considered as to upset the environment as little as possible. all materials used — save the supports — are natural, permeable, and have no added chemicals to interfere with the rich bio-diversity that has taken over the land. ‘lotus flower’ is thought by microscape to represent a naturalized architecture where ‘constructed nature’ will, with the passage of time, become a hybrid that blurs between natural and man-made. the path is open year round for cyclists and pedestrians.
train tracks also pass through the land, from bozzano to massarosa central
the track
support beams
a cyclist passes across the bridge
‘constructed nature’
view from beside the path
public benches at the trailhead
‘lotus flower’
area alongside path
project info:
client: municipality of massarosa
architectural and landscape design: microscape architecture urban design
structures and security: eng. A. bertini
construction supervision: microscape architecture urban design AA
contractor: ATI bicicchi felice srl + cemenbit srl
dimension: 1 km
photography: © pietro savorelli
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: nick brink | designboom
