santiago calatrava's cosenza bridge connects two sides of a calabrian city

santiago calatrava has completed a 140-meter-long (459 ft) vehicular and pedestrian bridge in the southern region of calabria, italy. forming part of an ambitious regeneration plan, the new cosenza bridge connects two important areas of the city that had long been detached from one another on the banks of the crati river. the cable stayed structure features a prominent inclined pylon that rises above the region’s urban landscape and evokes the image of a giant harp.

all images by scura design, courtesy of zumtobel group

crafted using santiago calatrava’s signature materials of steel, concrete, and natural stone, the bridge rises to a total height of 82 meters (269 ft) above the road. the slender steel pylon not only expresses the tension of the cables, but also visually directs the observer toward the urban center of cosenza. importantly, the design allows for the future addition of a steel and glass-covered pedestrian shelter on the riverbank closest to the pylon.

the vehicular and pedestrian bridge is located in the southern region of calabria

the project’s lighting design has been carried out by zumtobel group, who worked to ensure that the bridge served as strong urban landmark 24 hours a day. using energy saving LED technology, the firm sought to create light that both enhanced the white structure, while ensuring excellent visual comfort for pedestrians. to create a subtle, yet powerful ‘carpet of light’, zumtobel also incorporated LEDs into the lower part of the railings.

the span measures a total of 140 meters (459 feet)

‘I’m proud and honored to be a part of this momentous urban improvement project for the city of cosenza,’ commented calatrava upon the bridge’s opening earlier this year. ‘thank you to the officials of cosenza who have placed their trust in me to deliver such an important piece of urban infrastructure that supports their ambitious urban regeneration plan.’ see designboom’s full archive of projects by santiago calatrava here.

lighting both enhances the white structure, while ensuring visual comfort for pedestrians

a slender steel pylon expresses the tension of the cables

the bridge serves as a strong urban landmark 24 hours a day

the pylon visually directs the observer toward the urban center of cosenza