BHDP Architecture, lead by Giancarlo Del Vita, Design Leader in the firm with offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Raleigh-Durham, and included Mike Schulte, and Chris Wiethe, was commissioned to design a foot-bridge in Lucca, Italy. The bridge was intended to solve pedestrian and vehicular access to the proposed mixed-use development of an abandoned industrial site, the Ex-OfficineLenzi.
More on this project after the break.
The footbridge is initially designed to establish key circulation to the future site at Ex-OfficineLenzi, and has expanded programmatically to provide a connection between the surrounding residential neighborhood of San Concordio, to the walled city of Lucca, across the railroad tracks and through the property.
The inspiration for the design of the new bridges is the original defensive walls of Lucca, which were first built by the Romans around 180 B.C. Over the centuries, the city has expanded its walls and they have become a major element of the city’s life. No longer used for defense, today the walls are a social experience, a city park and a green necklace around the dense street pattern of the old city.
The footbridges will continue the organic and green features of the walls, and extend them across the boulevard and railroad into the neighborhood. The new bridge can accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, and will have a buffer of planters and flower-beds along its edges. A new pavilion to the south will house a café, shops and other commercial activity and the trellised roof terrace will provide views of the old city walls.
Option 1 consists of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, as well as a vehicular access to the third level of a proposed new parking structure. Option 2 consists of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, with an alternate to extend one arm directly on top of the Walls.
Architect: BHDP Architecture Project Location: Lucca, Italy Project name: Collegamento Ex-OfficineLenzi Client: Seven S.p.A.
