An innovative re-usable shallow foundation system for light loads has been developed consisting of a concrete block and four steel tubes driven into the ground at different orientations. The interaction between the block, the tubes and the enclosed soil ensures a significant enhancement of the bearing capacity compared to that of an equivalent conventional shallow foundation. The paper reports the results of two load tests (compression and tension) carried out to study the performance of the system. The interpretation of the test is assisted by the performance of 3D numerical analyses capable of reproducing satisfactorily the field observations. The results of the analyses have allowed an estimation of a limit load below which the foundation system can be re-used.