Endless staircase in Milan. Extraordinary structure made of hardwood

Designed by de Rijke Marsch Morgan Architects (dRMM), the structure was reconfigured as part of the " Feeding New Ideas for the City " event organized at the University of Milan. The infinite staircase was conceived as a three-dimensional activity with its modular wooden construction, with the possibility of being reconfigured and adapted for different scenarios.

The Cà Granda, one of the most important venues of the FuoriSalone events will be the site of the installation. The structure was initially conceived in collaboration with the London Design Festival as a distinctive project for the 2013 edition and installed in front of the Tate Modern, one of London's most popular cultural institutions in September of the same year

While maintaining the initial influence of Escher, "Scale Infinite" is even more about perspective. Six flights of stairs have been connected to each other to create a form that stands out for its composition which is intentionally in contrast to the classical uniformity of the Renaissance forms of the building that houses it

Rijke Marsch Morgan Architects' studio once again gives importance to the element of play in the structure, allowing the visitor to interact with it through the integration of different levels, connections and possible access routes. The perspective interplay also offers the opportunity to enjoy a new and unique view of the elegant cloister of Cà Granda. The installation is an aesthetic challenge and is an intentional contradiction to the harmonious context in which it is located in Milan with regard to material, size and composition

The wooden sculpture is also part of a research project that deepens the knowledge of the wooden construction and sustainability. Hardwood was used for the first time in this project to produce Xlam panels, which are usually made of coniferous wood. The tulipier, whose name comes from the particular tulip shape of its flowers is a widely available and relatively affordable species of American hardwood. It is a key aspect for this project, it is incredibly resistant and rigid wood considering its weight

A series of tests carried out in Italy during the construction of the original structure has shown that the tulipier is up to three times more resistant with regard to the "rolling shear" than the resinous wood normally used for construction such as fir. Therefore, a thickness of 60 mm is sufficient for the three-layer panels that make up the steps and balustrades. In the newer version, the new arrangement of the landings and the extension of the highest step of the canopy up to its maximum limit are as a result of a structural design of the highest level

The structure rests on a platform made of thermo-treated American ash wood. The thermal modification process takes place in a controlled high temperature environment and permanently alters the physical and chemical properties of the wood. The process increases the dimensional stability of the wood and its resistance to decay

The project by de Rijke Marsch Morgan Architects helps to demonstrate that deciduous trees can open up new perspectives for timber construction with their excellent technical characteristics. The structure installed in Milan, on the occasion of an important event has generated considerable interest which has been the subject of an in-depth analysis and debate