luca poian envisions self-supporting timber footbridge at parco del lura

luca poian imagines a contemporary and contextual addition to the natural park landscape north of milan with the ‘parco del lura’ footbridge. spanning over the park’s lura creek valley, the timber bridge is envisioned to connect the areas of manera and rovellasca while enabling links with the wider pedestrian and cycling networks throughout the area. the team at poian’s london-based studio — luca poian forms — expresses functional influence from a self-supporting system first studied by leonardo da vinci in the 15th century. the project received an honorable mention in the parco del lura footbridge competition in july 2020.

all images courtesy of luca poian forms

the design of luca poian forms’ parco del lura footbridge expresses a simple assembly of rectilinear timber beams, supported without the use of ties. once completed, the compressive loads of the bridge itself lock together the longitudinal and cross beams in a scissor-like fashion, creating an efficient self-supporting system that permanently secures the structure in place. derived from studies by leonardo da vinci, this strategy is imagined in a contemporary way that integrates into the picturesque, overgrown nature of lura park. the use of glulam timber allows for longer spans and enhanced durability over time. luca poian forms worked together with archest in the design of the competition entry.

the team makes use of structural techniques to assemble the proposed footbridge in a way that is both highly efficient and environmentally sustainable. seeking to lessen the use of unsustainable materials, the designers succeed in minimizing the number of metal joineries, effectively reducing the building’s carbon footprint and extending the building’s life span. the material choices celebrate the structure’s eventual weathering, deliberately minimizing the frequency of operational maintenance while allowing the bridge to slowly develop a textured coloration and patina that will help it further blend into the context of lura park.