Aldo Norsa
In the wake of the teaching that our generation of architects has received (and in some cases imparted) as a reaction (obviously cultured) to the Modern Movement and the connected 'functionalism/ rationalism' move many of the most appreciated Italian designers who measure themselves with the great themes that mark the territory. They have introjected the watchword that in order to significantly intervene in the cities we must value the combination 'architectural typology - urban morphology' and today are increasingly engaged in the adaptation/ updating of this approach, cultural and operational at the same time. In order for this approach, from the architectural scale to the urban planning, to meet the needs of the clients, the project must feed on a hypothesis as comprehensive as possible of urban regeneration to complement and outline the project, Under penalty of the risk of punctuating the cities of 'tests of architecture' detached from the socio-cultural context, a sort of 'unmarried machines' in the famous definition of Marcel Duchamp resumed as the title of the Venice Biennale of 1975. With a consequent cacophony more suitable for some world cities that have 'money' but not 'culture'. What examples (obviously revisited to enriched) Can this cultural approach illustrate the recent design experience of some of our most sensitive architects/engineers?
Open Project
Francesco Conserva
The Emilian experience of urban regeneration has its roots in urban experimentation conducted, since the 70s, by figures such as Giuseppe Campos Venuti and Pierluigi Cervellati. Creators and proponents of political and urban experiences that have helped to create a modus operandi in and for the city, promoters of a reformism attentive to the themes of safeguarding and urban liveability.
The scientific knowledge of typologies promoted by Adolfo Cesare Dell'Acqua has also led to formulating hypotheses of building recovery according to processes compatible with technologies and objectives of energy and seismic sustainability ante litteram. Today these cultural bases evolve by integrating themselves with urban regeneration concepts that see the social as the main factor of innovation. Increasingly comprehensive processes are developed (the 'factory' is restructured and the place regenerates) and increasingly connected to the ability to be placemaker, according to the definition of Elena Granata, that is able to successfully transform the place of the project.
Open Project is characterized by a design not authorial but in constant multidisciplinary listening. Our most ambitious project is the urban landmark of Bologna: a directional pole with four buildings on which stands the unipolsai tower (125 m high) built in 2012 on a former-industrial area whose change of use and redevelopment has lasted for twenty years.
The tower, certified LEED© Gold NC2.2, is ambitious on several fronts: energy consumption, comfort, architectural quality. It also opens to the public for inclusion on the top floors of the Cubo business museum. Moreover, thanks to the underground underground railway line and to the realization of cyclopedestrian connections, the perception of the place from industrial to citizen with prospects of new quality settlements is transforming.
Another project concerns an urban park in the area of the former Livestock Market in Modena, on an area of 7,500 square meters, currently interstitial spaces between buildings. The proposal of Open Project wants to overturn this vision by defining a connecting ground, a sort of 'green sap' that expands organically in the entire area subject to regeneration. A design gesture on different scales that establishes and regulates urban connections, defines functional relationships and welcomes centers of interest and social catalysts for a park, inclusive green infrastructure.
The area of the Bologna business hub with the Unipol tower by Open Project (2012).
Ph. Gianni de Giorgio