The footbridge across the Rinža River
The footbridge across the Rinža River is experienced as a highlight and focal point of the Gaj sports park area before the river enters the centre of Kočevje. The footbridge spans in a long elegant curve, passing over two existing supports and gently resting on the riverbanks. The width and slope of the bridge reflect its use as part of a cycling path, giving it a light and slender appearance in a way that preserves and enhances the surrounding landscape.
The footbridge is entirely made of wood and has a total length of 37.8 metres, with a main span of 23.3 m between the intermediate supports and a clear width of 3.5 m. Its main structure consists of two arched glued-laminated timber beams that also serve as protective railings. The main beams are connected by spruce glulam crossbeams and secondary timber beams supporting an oak deck for pedestrians and cyclists. The timber structure is conceived as both load-bearing construction and architectural enclosure, expressing clarity, rhythm and structural logic.
The choice of materials and construction responds directly to the spatial and cultural context of the location. Simplicity is found in the local selection of materials and their vernacular use. The textured wooden cladding protects the structure and allows simple maintenance and replacement of exposed elements, while shielding the load-bearing arches from direct weather exposure. The bridge recalls the character of traditional wooden rural structures, such as hayracks and barns, giving the infrastructure a subtle poetic quality while conveying a sense of stability and safety.
The construction of the footbridge was highly cost-effective, demonstrating how thoughtful timber engineering can produce both economical and architecturally expressive infrastructure. The project follows principles of sustainable construction, aiming to minimise intervention into the site and reduce the amount of material and work required. Such a design approach and use of locally sourced timber could serve as a model for bridging smaller watercourses in environmentally sensitive landscapes.
