PIAZZA VITTORIO VENETO AND ADJACENT SECTIONS
RUNNER UP
URBAN AND TERTIARY REDEVELOPMENT
Project team:
1. Paolo Galantini (Team Leader)
2. Marco Biondi
3. Roberto Maffei
Location: Tropea, Vibo Valentia
The knot of the project is the highlighting of the south-north urban axis, mountain-sea, which takes place through the restructuring of the Viale della Stazione reorganizing it as an urban course the interaction between pedestrian and vehicular traffic is organized according to the concepts of traffic calming.
The existing trees are maintained and a new urban furniture is associated with them, with new aggregation areas and a large pedestrian path.
An implementation of the tree masses of the square has been planned, which takes place by creating a green axis, which at the same time contrasts and enhances the primary north-south urban axis.
The intent of the project is the transformation of the square into a place where visitors tend to feel in a sort of interior - exterior; an external internal reorganization of home life, which invites you to enter and live it.
All this through the subtle but clear definition of a hierarchy of spaces: circulation, public permanence, semi-private permanence.
The public holding area is characterized by a geometric design, of rectangular shape. The square is defined by an organization of horizontal bands, now characterized by greenery, now by elements of urban furniture with wooden seats, which integrate and enhance the articulation of the square.
The fountains mark the edge of the square towards the mixed traffic road; the presence of water gives a playful and scenographic aspect; during the summer the water suggests a sensation of freshness and gives life to games for children and rest areas for adults, constituting a symbolic reference to the sea water which is located at the end of the road. The water element, so important in the city, marks the intersection of these two important vital spaces: the Viale and the Piazza.
The other fundamental aspect is the new entrance view of the square, no longer channeled between the tables of the restaurant activities, but with a new and central passage area, designing a free use of the public space.
The lighting is partly made up of vertical elements, which define the axis of fruition of the square, and direct the view inside it, thus enhancing the war memorial.
These vertical elements, consisting of circular poles as a support for reflective elements equipped with photovoltaic panels, ensure that the lighting of the square is self-powered by means of photovoltaic cells above the reflecting body. A further lighting consists of linear elements embedded at the base of the benches, giving it a scenographic effect of suspension. The benches are made of blocks in light lava stone which rise from the appeals of the pavement, made of dark lava stone with slabs of cm. 40 x 60 to run.
Another seating element is the wooden band symbolizing the emergence of the earth in a continuous and articulated line. The materials used enhance the local identity and enhance the tactile perception of the urban space. The wood used, type IPE has an excellent resistance to wear from bad weather and animal organisms.
The green of the square is composed of strips of grass alternating with strips of wood that constitute free seats, from which palm plantations rise, thus giving the design to the new flooring. The new plantings are integrated with the existing trees, which are conserved and completed with new native plantings.
The whole tree system is designed to provide shade and help give a cool feeling to the seating area and to the public rest area.
The semi-private residence area is reserved for the current use of the catering spaces with tables and chairs, while the public residence area is defined by greenery and urban furniture.
Finally, the square and the avenue are equipped with inspectable tunnels, covered with lava stone tiles mounted on a metal frame, easily exportable to carry out repairs and checks on the technological systems.