The Mare a Mare Trails Footbridges project, designed by Orma Architettura, endeavors to seamlessly integrate six footbridges into the natural landscape, traversing scrub, streams, and rivers.
Blending with Nature
The primary objective of the project is to ensure that these structures harmonize with the surrounding environment. The architects have opted for a design approach that emphasizes lightness and transparency, allowing the footbridges to blend into the sandstone terrain of these remote natural spaces.
Discreet Visibility
Despite their presence, the footbridges remain discreetly visible to visitors only when they are within a close proximity, typically within a radius of fewer than 30 meters. This deliberate design choice ensures that the footbridges do not disrupt the panoramic views of the landscape.
Material Selection
To achieve the desired effect of integration, the footbridges are constructed using corten steel, known for its rust-like appearance. This choice of material allows the structures to gradually blend with the natural surroundings as they oxidize over time, mirroring the colors of the landscape and effectively camouflaging the footbridges amidst the vegetation.
Sustainable Aging
As the corten steel weathers and ages, it undergoes a process of oxidation that enables it to merge seamlessly with the environment. This sustainable aging process ensures that the footbridges evolve over time, becoming an integral part of the natural landscape they traverse.
Conclusion
The Mare a Mare Trails Footbridges project exemplifies a thoughtful approach to infrastructure design, where functionality and aesthetics are seamlessly integrated to minimize environmental impact and enhance the visitor experience. By blending with the surrounding landscape, these footbridges offer a harmonious solution for traversing natural terrain while preserving the pristine beauty of the wilderness.
