Rest and Walk around Vocemola Service Area along the A7 Motorway by Carla Altamirano

Rest and Walk around the Vocemola Service Area along the A7 Motorway

A possible role of landscape tourism in fragile territories

Rest and Walk around the Vocemola Service Area along the A7 Motorway A possible role of landscape tourism in fragile territories

Supervisor Andrea Rolando Co-supervisor Alessandro Scandiffio Student Carla Altamirano Saavedra

Politecnico di Milano AUIC School Master of Architecture - Built Environment - Interiors A.Y. 2020-2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The work presented here is part of the topic explored by the research program called “Territorial Fragilities” under the observaion of the department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU - Polimi). The development of this project begun during the attendance of the Final Thesis Studio, which aim was exploring different strategies of revitalization for certain fragile territories along the A7 Motorway (Milan-Genoa), held by Professors Alessandro Rocca, Andrea Rolando and Jacopo Leveratto with assitant professor Alessandro Scandiffio, Francesca Zanotto, Gino Baldi and Luca Negrini. The continuity of the project, after the Final Thesis Studio was over, was further guided by Professor Andrea Rolando and assitant Professor Alessandro Scandiffio. To them goes my gratitude for their constructive suggestions and infinite patience ring a global pandemic.

INDEX

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Theme

2.1. Walk| Built Footpath

2.2. Rest| Architecture in Open Space

3. Site Analysis

3.1. Vocemola | The Town next to the Motorway

3.2. Landscape Role | Potential Tourism

3.3. Service Area Users| Inhabitants and Travelers

4.Strategy

4.1. Masterplan|Connecting the Site

5. Intervention

5.1. Footpath | Continuity and Interconnection

5.2. Motorway Service Area 5.3. Cable Car

70 106

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

112

5.5. Watchtower

130

6. Conclusion

144

6.1. Storyboard

148

Bibliography

152

List of Images

154

Abstract

Rest and Walk around the Vocemola Service Area along the A7 Motorway

A possible role of landscape tourism in fragile territories

The motorway has been conceived as a connector for urban points. An element with high utility, whose existence has been a symbol of technological advancement and economic growth of modern societies. However, as its main purpose is to connect the cities of a nation or continent, the road passes through the rural sector without taking it into account, which has aggravated the isolation of this area. In the case of the A7 Motorway (Milan-Genova) in Italy, specifically on its south half, where the route is developed on a higher altitude inside the Appenines, several rural villages have found themselves facing underpopulation and abandonment, as the inhabitants decide to go to the main cities in search of a new lifestyle and economic growth, which is difficult to achieve through their crops in the Apennines.

For the development of this project, work will be done on the service area of the A7 Motorway next to the historic town of Vocemola, located in Valle Scrivia. This town, just like others in the Apennines, has been affected by the migration of the inhabitants and the presence of the highway as an obstacle, which has revealed the fragility of the territory. Understanding this fragility as “the quality of being easy to break” (Cambridge Dictionary), this project intend to reinforce the activity of the territory, thus combating a possible “breakdown” of the place. For doing this, the propose is to transform the non-place of the service area platform into a place to visit and stay, attractive and accessible to external users (travelers of the A7 Motorway) and internal users (residents from Vocemola and Arquata Scrivia), taking the great potential of the natural context as a possible role of landscape tourism in the reactivation of the town of Vocemola and its surroundings. To achieve this, the built footpath will be used as the walking conector around the project, facilitating access to the user and offering an experience. Additionally, through open space architecture, different interventions used for resting are proposed, that will add identity to the territory and which in the pause allow greater proximity to the natural context and its contemplation.

Sommario

Riposare e passeggiare nell’area di servizio di Vocemola lungo l’autostrada A7

Un possibile ruolo del turismo paesaggistico nei territori fragili

L’autostrada è stata concepita come un connettore per i punti urbani. Un elemento di grande utilità, la cui esistenza è stata simbolo del progresso tecnologico e della crescita economica delle società moderne. Tuttavia, poiché il suo scopo principale è quello di collegare le città di una nazione o di un continente, la strada attraversa il settore rurale senza tenerne conto, il che ha aggravato l’isolamento di quest’area. Nel caso dell’autostrada A7 (Milano-Genova) in Italia, in particolare nella sua metà sud, dove il percorso si sviluppa su una quota più elevata all’interno dell’Appennino, diversi borghi rurali si sono trovati ad affrontare la sottopopolazione e l’abbandono, poiché gli abitanti decidono di recarsi nelle principali città alla ricerca di un nuovo stile di vita e di una crescita economica, difficile da raggiungere attraverso le proprie coltivazioni appenniniche.

Per lo sviluppo di questo progetto si interverrà sull’area di servizio dell’Autostrada A7 a ridosso del centro storico di Vocemola, situato in Valle Scrivia. Questo cittadina, come altre dell’Appennino, ha risente della migrazione degli abitanti e della presenza dell’autostrada come ostacolo, che ha rivelato la fragilità del territorio. Intendendo questa fragilità come “la qualità di essere facile da rompere” (Cambridge Dictionary), questo progetto intende rafforzare l’attività del territorio, combattendo così un possibile “crollo” del luogo. Per fare ciò si propone di trasformare il non luogo della piattaforma dell’area di servizio in un luogo di visita e di soggiorno, attrattivo e accessibile agli utenti esterni (viaggiatori dell’Autostrada A7) e interni (residenti di Vocemola e Arquata Scrivia) , cogliendo le grandi potenzialità del contesto naturale come possibile ruolo del turismo paesaggistico nella riattivazione del comune di Vocemola e dei suoi dintorni. Per raggiungere questo obiettivo, il percorso pedonale costruito sarà utilizzato come per camminare intorno al progetto, facilitando l’accesso all’utente e offrendo un’esperienza. Inoltre, attraverso l’architettura degli spazi aperti, vengono proposti diversi interventi destinati al riposo, che aggiungeranno identità al territorio e che nella pausa consentiranno una maggiore vicinanza al contesto naturale e alla sua contemplazione.

1 INTRODUCTION

Introduction

“Isolated, on a hillock beyond the Scrivia, Vocemola preserves more than other localities aspects and flavors of the country, with the compact village around the church, the old repainted houses, the alleys, and, at a very short distance, mountains and woods.”

“Appartata, su un poggio oltre lo Scrivia, Vocemola conserva più di altre località aspetti e sapori di paese, con il borgo compatto attorno alla chiesa, le vecchie case ridipinte, i vicoletti, e, a brevissima distanza, monti e boschi.” (Comune di Arquata Scrivia, n.d.)

The town of Vocemola is part of Arquata Scrivia, a town in the province of Alessandria. “Appartata” which means isolated in English, is the first word used by the municipality of Arquata Scrivia when describing Vocemola. “Appartata”, due to its distance from the capital of the municipality to which it belongs. “Appartata”, for its complicated access. “Appartata”, due to its separation from the landscape due to the highway. When passing through the service area of the A7 motorway in the Scrivia Valley, the eastern part of Vocemola can be slightly perceived, while the rest of the town is hidden by the lower level of the topography with respect to the motorway. The presence of the highway has made Vocemola an isolated and dead-end destination. The people who will drive to it are currently only residents, as there is no other event that attracts external users to visit or just pass through the town of Vocemola. The obstruction of the highway, together with the migration, has exposed the fragility of the territory. Understanding this fragility as “the quality of being easy to break” (Cambridge Dictionary), this project intends to reinforce the activity of the territory, thus combating a possible “breakdown” of the place.

1. Introduction

In order to achieve the goal, the strengths and weaknesses of the site were analyzed to determine the appropriate tools that would generate a positive transformation in the site. In the first place, Vocemola Service Area, along with the highway it serves, are determined as a weakness for its monotony and monodirectionality. Furthermore, the service area which can just exist as a wider extension of the motorway in form of platform, contributes to territorial fragility as it is a space without any identity that can be compared to a non-place, where travelers only stop momentarily to refill gasoline. On the other hand, the natural context that surrounds the highway represents an opportunity factor for the reactivation of these fragile territories, taking into account the preference that many people currently have towards visiting nature in the face of significant urban growth. In the case of the A7 motorway, the natural context around it offers a landscape sequence, as the road climbs, descends and crosses different valleys. In the closest area next to the highway the natural context is flatter and mostly used for agricultural purposes, as it moves away from the highway the topography rises, becoming a potential natural area to explore but currently underused for recreational purposes due to its difficult access.

Based on the above, this project proposes to use the weaknesses as opportunities and take advantage of the existing strengths. In order to do this, the service area platform will be used, as the articulator between Vocemola, the highway and the orography, transforming the non-place into a place to visit and stay, attractive and accessible to external users (travelers of the A7 Motorway) and internal users (residents from Vocemola and Arquata Scrivia), taking the great potential of the natural context as a possible role of landscape tourism in the reactivation of the town of Vocemola and its surroundings. Rest and Walk To achieve this, the built footpath will be used as the dynamic connector between Vocemola, the service area and the landscape, facilitating access to the user and offering an experience by walking. Starting from Vocemola the built footpath which gives continuity to the existing path, now blocked by the highway. Then, by crossing transversally the motorway, will connect Vocemola with the lanscape. And finally, will go into the mountain in order to explore it. Additionally, through open space architecture, different type of interventions are proposed in form of terraces and platforms providing more identity to the site and designed for resting, allowing the user greater proximity to the natural context and its contemplation in the pause.

2 THEME

* Taking important remarks from references as inspiration for the architectural proposal

III. 1 Handmade drawing by the author. Footpath created by the constant walking of people on the same place.

III. 2 Handmade drawing by the author. Built footpath: Viewpoint Tugeneset (Senja, Norway) by Code.

2. Theme

Walk | Built Footpath

According to Cambridge Dictionary, footpath is “a path, especially in the countryside, for walking on”. Public footpaths were originally created by people walking across the land to work, market, the next village, church, and school. Some footpaths were also created by those undertaking a pilgrimage. Examples of the latter are the Pilgrim’s Way in England and Pilgrim’s Route (St. Olav’s Way or the Old Kings’ Road) in Norway. Some landowners allow access over their land without dedicating a right of way. These permissive paths are often indistinguishable from normal paths, but they are usually subject to restrictions. Such paths are often closed at least once a year, so that a permanent right of way cannot be established in law. Cases like this use the footpath as a connector to carry out a particular journey.

Today, the footpath is widely used as an architectural actor within different contexts, mostly located outdoors. It can be found in the form of a boulevard in the city or as an ecological trail in the mountains. It is the most common way in which the human being can relate to the context around him in a dynamic way. Next, the analysis of different case studies is carried out. In which, the footpath fulfills the objectives of activating, connecting, facilitating access and allowing the exploration of a particular territory by simply walking.

Based on the above, it could be said that in past years the footpath could be mostly used to reach a destination. However, today the most common way to get to a destination is by vehicle. For this reason, nowadays walking through a footpath, built or naturally existing, can be mainly considered as a recreational activity through which public space could be generated if the surrounding context motivates it in any way.

2.1. Walk | Built Footpath

“All of these elements are moulded into the landscape so that the visitor’s experience of place seems even more intimate. The architectural intervention is respectfully delicate, and was conceived as a thin thread that guides visitors from one stunning overlook to another”. (Ramstad, 2014)

III. 3

The Orography next to the Highway To access the project, the road widens into a plain in the middle of a dense orography, there a platform is formed where visitors can park their cars. Next to the parking lots, the main building is located, where a restaurant and toilets work, and on the east side of the main building is the built path, which enters the mountain 350 meters above the ground, ending in a viewpoint flying over the mountain. Through a stairway, the project creates easy access to the mountains during all seasons of the year. The built path adapts to the orography and extends at certain points generating rest areas and / or viewpoints along the way. The constructed trail provides handrails on both sides, due to the rocky territory and the steep incline of the mountain. In addition, as it is a path with steps, the handrail works as a support for walkers.

III. 4

The materials used for the built path were designed to withstand the extreme climate of the mountain and so that it does not need more maintenance, for the stairs and landings, cast concrete was chosen in place and for the handrails, cor-ten steel.

III.3 RRA. (2014). photography: Rest area on Trollstigen Visitor Centre. III. 4 RRA. (2014). photography: Stepped footpath o Trollstigen Visitor Centre.

2. Theme

Trollstigen Visitor Centre - Trollstigen, Norway

III. 5

III. 6

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE USE OF THE HIGHWAY SERVICE AREA AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE NATURAL CONTEXT * THE ADAPTATION TO THE OROGRAPHY WHILE CREATING AN ACCESIBLE WALKWAY FOR VISITORS OF THE TERRITORY

III.5 RRA. (2014). photography: Aerial view of Trollstigen Visitor Centre viewpoint. III. 6 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Trollstigen Visitor Center location.

2.1. Walk | Built Footpath

III. 7

III. 8

Simplicity and Modesty on the Way After the closure of the Club Med tourist complex in this unique coastal landscape, the institutions wanted to erase the footprint left by that urban development through a project directed by Martí Franch (EMF Arquitectura del paisatge) and Ton Ardèvol (ARDÉVOL consultors associats SLP), in which a large multidisciplinary team collaborated. The initial strategy proposed by the public tender is simply to buy the property, remove the old Club Med buildings and invasive flora in order to restore the natural dynamics in the place. After the deconstruction of certain buildings, the project seeks a relationship with nature, reviving the original ecological dynamics of the Cap de Creus Natural Park. In this way, the plan became the largest deconstruction and restoration project on the Mediterranean coast.

The project is related to identifying, revealing and finally, transforming, to adapt to what already exists. Reveal and celebrate the “real” landscape and its specific qualities. Indeed, the objective of the project was not to build a landscape, but to conceive the conditions to live its experience. Always taking into account having the natural context as the main actor of the intervention, a simple and continuous built path is designed, which adapts the orography while maintaining the same width. But above all, it is implanted in the territory in a clear and modest way, creating a certain contrast with the surroundings, but which helps to highlight what already exists. Along the way there are rest spaces, viewpoints that frame the landscape and abstract elements, which together with nature, stand out on the route with open-air art galleries.

III. 7 Ardevol; EMF. (2010). photography: Viewpoint on Tudela-Culip Restoration Project. III. 8 Ardevol; EMF. (2010). photography: Footpath on Tudela-Culip Restoration Project.

2. Theme

Tudela Culip Restoration Project - Cap de Creus, Spain

III. 9

III. 10

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE MODESTY AND CLARITY OF A PATH, WHICH MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO MARK A ROUTE WHILE PERCEIVING THE EXISTING CONTEXT * THE USE OF VIEWPOINTS AS A WAY TO FRAME EXISTING VIEWS AND CREATING A DIALOGUE BETWEEN ARCHITECTURE AND NATURE

III. 9 Ardevol; EMF. (2010). photography: Footpath on Tudela-Culip Restoration Project. III. 10 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Tudela-Culip Restoration Project location.

2.1. Walk | Built Footpath

“Our approach was to make as minimal an impact on the landscape as possible, but still create something safe and solid”. (Koller, 2018)

III. 11

Accesibility to Explore

A simple staircase that goes up around the volcanic crater in an oval shape. The same width of 1.5 meters is maintained throughout the route, thus indicating the clear intention of the project, to facilitate the access of visitors to the top of the crater. Like many built trails, this one was originally formed by all the visitors climbing this crater. However, over time the terrain began to deform due to the high pedestrian traffic of recent years. Visitors who want to get to the top of the crater, arrive by a road till the parking area located on the slopes of the crater, from there the first orange stairs begin through the cor-ten steel, standing out among the black soil of the site. if you see it from the front, but if you look at it from above, it becomes camouflaged in a certain way by the perforations in the material.

III. 12

The built footpath does not have handrails, which allows the user to climb the mountain stepping more firmly but without losing that natural sensation of mountaineering. The project does not have rest areas or viewpoints neither, as it offers the experience through the contemplation of the landscape on the way up.

III. 11 (n.d.). photography: Aerial view of Sáxholl Crater Stairway. III. 12 (n.d.). photography: Close-upl view of Sáxholl Crater Stairway.

2. Theme

Sáxholl Crater Stairway - Snæfellsnes, West Iceland

III. 13

III. 14

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE MODESTY AND CLARITY OF A PATH, WHICH MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO RECOVER THE EXISTING DETERIORATED FOOTPATH AND FACILITATE THE CONTEMPLATION OF AN IMPONENT NATURAL ELEMENT

III. 13 (n.d.). photography: Upside down view of Sáxholl Crater Stairway. III. 14 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagrams of Sáxholl Crater Stairway.

2.1. Walk | Built Footpath

III. 16

Bringing the Town closer to Nature MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) is located on the banks of the Tagus in Belém. On the north, it limits with the Brasília Avenue and on the south with Tajo River. As a result of it´s location, it ends up being a difficult place to access by pedestrians, who come from the other side of the highway. As a solution for the pedestrian accesibility, a footpath bridge is built to connect the vilage with roof of the building which works as a public platform with a panoramic view of the Tajo river. The roof of the project is developed in an organic way, and so does the foothpath in form of a continuous ramp, which follows the same character of the building, resulting in the perception of both as a whole unit. The construction of a pedestrian bridge over the highway not only facilitates access to the museum building. But additionally by maintaining the bridge for public use with a platform at the end of the road, it is giving all the inhabitants of the city an opportunity to contemplate and interact more directly with the Tagus River, managing to tear down the obstacle that the road represents to the city in front of the natural context. III. 15

III. 15 Noguiera, F. (2016). photography: Facade view of MAAT. III. 16 Noguiera, F. (2016). photography: Bridge view of MAAT.

2. Theme

MAAT Museum - Lisbon, Portugal

III. 17

III. 18

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION ACROSS THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN THE TOWN AN THE NATURAL CONTEXT * THE USE OF THE ROOF AS A TERRACE FOR PUBLIC ACTIVITES FOR THE INHABITANTS * THE INTEGRATION OF THE PROJECT WITH THE NATURAL CONTEXT

III. 17 Noguiera, F. photography: Facade view of MAAT. III. 18 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of MAAT location.

2.1. Walk | Built Footpath

“The new building becomes a path and architecture at the same time, while allowing nature to continue around, under and within the form of the structure”. (Powehouse Company, n.d.)

III. 20

The Footpath as the Activator Loop of Wisdom is located in a new neighborhood in Chengdu, China, on a green terrain, used by people for regular walking or jogging routine. The building stands out in the context, through its vibant red color, which, being chromatically opposed to the green of the public park, makes the proposed and the existing stand out by contrast. The fluidity of the red structure, which works as the roof of the interior spaces of the building, incorporates a public space for the neighbors, who use the path mainly for their sport activities. In addition to its important functionality, its sculptural form working as a unit with the building, represents an exhuberant landmark of the territory, which motivates the dynamization of the site. This footpath is not connecting two elements separated by an obstacle, since the built footpath to walk by is infinite as it has a circular shape. Therefore, it is important to highlight how in this very particular case the walkway is used as the creator of public space, without the functional need to connect one point with another, the footpath among many other architectural/urban elements is chosen to be the activating artifact of a territory, due to the constant movement produced within it. III. 19

III. 19 Leijonhufvud, J. (2020). photography: Path view of Loop of Wisdom. III. 20 Leijonhufvud, J. (2020). photography: Stairs view of Loop of Wisdom.

2. Theme

Loop of Wisdom: Museum and Reception Center - Chegdu, China

III. 21

III. 22

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE USE OF CONTRAST TO CREATE A LANDMARK IN THE TERRITORY * THE GENERATION OF DYNAMIC PUBLIC SPACE THROUGH THE FOOTPATH * THE IDEA OF THE FOOTPATH AS THE BUILDING ITSELF

III. 21 Leijonhufvud, J. (2020). photography: Aerial view of Loop of Wisdom. III. 22 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Loop of Wisdom location.

2.1. Walk | Built Footpath

III. 23 Handmade drawing by the author. Contemplation of Nature.

III. 24 Handmade drawing by the author. Closeness to Nature.

2. Theme

Rest | Architecture in Open Space

“Mountains, fjords and the coastline are strong fundamental and recurring elements found in all sections and which therefore must be spiced up with different types of content in order to enhance each area’s distinctiveness. It is crucial that such elements be varied so that the different sections do not converge.” (Statens Vegvesen, 2008)

In recent times, tourism projects that are close to nature in order to get away from the city, have been the most chosen option by people. This being the case, architecture adapts very differently in the forest and in the city. In the city the context is formed through architecture, while in nature the context already exists and if there is something architecture can do there, it is to create elements that allow easy contemplation of nature.

to proceed with this action. That is why, parallel to the walk that the movement would represent, the pause is necessary. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the pause is “a short period in which something such as a sound or an activity is stopped before starting again”. In order to appreciate and understand what pause is, action is needed, and vice versa. In this case, as the action is walking, rest is proposed as the user’s alternative to enrich their experience by contemplating the context. In summary, we foresee that architecture responds to the natural context by enhancing it rather than competing with it, complementing the walking of the footpath with the resting. For doing this, open-space architecture is used as the means for users to enjoy the contemplation of nature on the site. To realize this idea, observation platforms, rest areas, and service facilities have been proposed. On the next pages, different references that highlight what has already been mentioned are analyzed.

Understanding contemplation as that which is done in a lasting and not instantaneous time, it is assumed that the movement must be restricted for a moment

2.2. Rest |Architecture in Open Space

III. 25

Improving the Experience What qualities can a built viewpoint have to be attractive when the whole environment offers, by itself, interesting views? Due to the fact that the project is located on the upper rim of the crater of an active volcano that has a lake in its interior, which creates multiple opportunities for observation throughout its environment.

the natural scenery, even seeking to make those who stand there feel vertigo. At the same time, a resting place is created, relatively protected from the elements, seeking that whoever uses it has a moment of contemplation and introspection.

The viewpoint is planned to be installed on the upper edge of the crater, its main objective is to create a structure that allows uninterrupted observation of the surroundings, where users can reach the border of the cliff safely. However, the question posed by this project appears when the site chosen for the viewpoint is compared with the entire rim of the crater, where, from anywhere, you can have similar views. For this reason, the analysis focuses on what else the viewpoint can offer to make it stand out as a point of interest in this environment. The response provided by this project is based on creating the opportunity for the visitor to appreciate the place in different ways than one could have from any other point in the caldera. The user experience is enhanced through the creation of a prominent site on the edge of the crater in which the sensation is of floating over III. 26

III. 25 Darquea, L. (2015). photography: Panoramic view of Shalala Lodge. III. 26 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram and section of Mirador Quilotoa Shalala.

2. Theme

Mirador Quilotoa Shalalá - Pujilí, Ecuador

“The sobriety and magnificence of the landscape require that the architectural response is also austere and that it seeks to integrate without competing with the environment”.

“La sobriedad y magnificencia del paisaje, exigen que la respuesta arquitectónica sea también austera y que busque integrarse sin competir con el entorno”. (Moreno, D. et al., 2014)

III. 27

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE ADDITIONAL SENSATION THAT THE INTERVENTION OFFERS IN A NATURAL CONTEXT THAT IS ALREADY INTERESTING IN ITSELF * THE DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN REST AREA AND OBSERVATION AREA

III. 27 Darquea, L. (2015). photography: Perspective view of Mirador Quilotoa Shalala.

2.2. Rest |Architecture in Open Space

III. 28

To contemplate and be contemplated

The graceful observation platform at Stegastein gives the illusion of floating in space when it reaches 30 meters from the mountainside and 650 meters above the fjord. At the end of the linear element which works as a sort of runway a glass parapet is located and the “footpath” is folded down, creating a continuity that for the user results in the slight sensation of vertigo, allowing a much interesting experience for the user. The viewpoint relates with the surroundings by its materials and contrast by its geometry. It not only serves to observe the landscape, but the viewpoint itself is also appreciated in the distance in harmony with the rest of natural context for its simple but imposing character. III. 29

III. 28 (2018). photography: Panoramic view of Stegastein Fjord. III. 29 (n.d.). photography: Perspective view of Stegastein Viewing Platform.

2. Theme

Viewing Platform - Stegastein, Norway

III. 30

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE RUNWAY THAT LEADS IN THE PANORAMIC VIEW * THE PROXIMITY OF THE VIEW THROUGH THE CANTILEVER * THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONTEXT SO IT CAN BE PART OF THE BEAUTIFUL LANSCAPE

III. 30 Handmade drawing by the author. Section and facade of Stegastein Viewing Platform.

2.2. Rest |Architecture in Open Space

III. 32

Reaching the trees

Schovenhorst Estate is known for its unique variety of trees. The Tree Tower is an additional element to the Finca, a watchtower from which you can see the surrounding trees. Rather than creating a vertical ascent, SeARCH designed the tower as a condensed path, with every facet of the promenade facing the forest. The branches of the tower host various perspectives along the route; sometimes a view of the sky, then just branches, the ground, or a panorama. In addition to offering different views of the forest, offers different activities within it, such as a rope bed. The route inside the tower is not rigid, it takes different paths around the main structure, just as the branches of a tree would. This enriches the user experience and lengthens their stay through the curvy path and the activities it offers. The materials used are wood and metal. Along the footpath, handrails in neon green metal are continuously framing it, making the walkway the center stage due to the color and the perforations on it, creating a translucent effect that relates visually the inside of the structure to the external natural context. III. 31

III. 31 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Bostoren Tree Tower concept. III. 32 SeARCH. (n.d.). photography: Stairs view of Bostoren Tree Tower.

2. Theme

Bostoren Tree Tower - Schovenhorst, Netherlands

III. 33

“The ‘branches’ of the tower provide opportunities for different activities and perspective views along the vertical route”. (SeARCH, n.d.)

III. 34

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE IDEA OF CONDENSING THE PATH IN A VERTICAL ELEMENT * THE VARIOUS VIEWPOINTS OFFERED BY THE WATCHTOWER ON THE WAY TO THE TOP * THE USE OF TRANSLUCENT ELEMENTS THAT ALLOW VISUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE FROM INSIDE THE TOWER

III. 33 Musch, J. (n.d.). photography: View from the ground of Bostoren Tree Tower. III. 34 Musch, J. (n.d.). photography: Perspective view of Bostoren Tree Tower viewpoint.

2.2. Rest |Architecture in Open Space

III. 36

Framing the Landscape The periscope tower is located on the shore of an artificial lake that has been built on top of a hill in the vicinity of the city center of Seinäjoki. The form of the tower is a simple rectangular prism, used basically as a block of stairs. By taking the stairs up or down one can experience a rich range of small views framed by the various openings in the structure. At the lowest level and at the highest level the openings are larger and frame a more panoramic view. The inner core made of cross laminated wood forms the frame for an additional large periscope with stairs circling around it. The effect of the perisop allows a user who is in the lowest level of the tower, to observe the same view as the people who are in the last level through a mirror placed on the ceiling. It is also possible to observe the landscape through the walls of the tower given its translucent treatment, leaving a space between the wooden sticks. III. 35

III. 35 OOPEA (2014). photography: Section model of Periscope Tower. III. 36 OOPEA (2014). photography: Interior stairs view of Periscope Tower.

2. Theme

Periscope Tower - Seinäjoki, FInland

III. 37

III. 38

IMPORTANT REMARKS * THE VARIOUS SMALL FRAMES OF THE LANDSCAPE INSIDE THE WATCHOWER * THE USE OF PURE GEOMETRY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ORGANIC CONTEXT

III. 37 OOPEA (2014). photography: Entrance view of Periscope Tower. III. 38 Handmade drawing by the author.Secion and facade of Periscope Tower.

2.2. Rest |Architecture in Open Space

3 ANALYSIS

* Analyzing the pros and cons of the fragile territory to propose a solution

Milano

A7 MOTORWAY

Valley Scrivia Giovi Campora

Genoa

III. 39

III. 39 Edited by the author. Map of A7 Motorway. extracted from Google Earth.

3. Site Analysis

Vocemola | The Town next to the Motorway “Ugly roads are often taken to be a price of civilization, like sewers or police”. (Appleyard, D. et al, 1964) Most motorways, have forgotten about the rural areas by attending the important cities . The A7 Motorway, buil in Italy in 1935 , connects the cities of Genoa and Milano, going through rural contexts, which it ignores. Beggining from the north, the initial section of the motorway is pretty rectilinear since it has been built more recently than the opposite section which derives from the old Genova-Serrvalle highway and is located in a higher altitude of the Apennines. Being built on an old road, it is very common to find old Italian towns in the surroundings. Many of which have decreased in population in recent years due to the phenomenon of migration from the countryside to the city, which has generated significant abandonment. of the territory, evidencing its fragility. During the academic studio in which the present project started being developed, three fragile territories (Campora, Giovi and Valley Scrivia) located on the south part of the A7 Motorway were analyzed to design architectural strategies that can reactivate their surroundings taking the service area of the highway as an opportunity to do that. Along the A7 Motorway various services areas are located, most of them just work as petrol station and/or sanitary facilities. Nowadays, those areas are used by the drivers as a place to pass and leave. For the development of this final project in particular, the intervention has been done on the service area located in Valley Scrivia, with the main objective of reactivating the historic town of Vocemola, located right next to the A7 Motorway, what has caused a very limited interaction between the inhabitants of Vocemola and the natural context located on the east of the highway.

Valley Scrivia Service Area

III. 40

Giovi Service Area

III. 41

Campora Service Area

III. 42

III. 40 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Valley Scrivia Service Area. III. 41 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Giovi Service Area. III. 42 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Campora Service Area.

3.1. Vocemola| The Town next to the Motorway

Vocemola Location

Arquata Scrivia Territory

The town of Vocemola belongs to the municipality of Arquata Scrivia, in the province of Alessandria, Piemonte region. The next closest town is two kilometers away and it is the capital of the municipality to which it belongs.

A valley of the Ligurian Apennines that developed in what could be called “Via del Mare” connecting the Ligurian coast with the Po Valley. Arquata unfolds along the ancient Via Postumia route, once a passage on the Roman consular route that linked Genoa with Aquileia crossing the Apennines and passing through Tortona, Voghera, Piacenza, Cremona, Verona and Vicenza.

The small and compact town occupies an area of approximately 800 m2 on a kind of little mound located in the lowest part of the valley, very close to the highway, like no other town in the valley.

Vocemola

A7 Motorway

III. 43

III. 43 (n.d.). photography: Aerial view of Vocemola town and surroundings

3. Site Analysis

Arquata Scrivia Map

300

600

900

1500m

Varinella

Arquata Scrivia

Vocemola

Rigoroso

Sottovalle Liguria Piamonte

III. 44

III. 44 Map produced by the author. Vocemola location on Arquata Scrivia.

3.1. Vocemola| The Town next to the Motorway

Valley Scrivia Division

Arquata Scrivia is located in the Valley Scrivia, which is crossed from north to south by the Railway Line, Scrivia Torrent and A7 Motorway. Vocemola town is located between the Scrivia Torrent and the A7 Motorway, which has generated in some way the isolation of the town in this linear portion of the valley.

1) Railway Line It connects Milano and Genoa just as the A7 Motorway. The closest stop to Vocemola is Rigoroso. Despite being at a distance of only 600 meters from Vocemola, there is currently no direct and accessible connection from the train station to this town. Which denotes the abandonment towards the old Vocemola.

III. 45

2) Scrivia Torrent It comes from the slopes of Mount Antola in the Ligurian territory, it flows into the Po in Lombardy after crossing Piedmont for a long time; it is the only stream in Italy that passes for three regions. Cross Arquata starting from Rigoroso, laps Vocemola and then continue towards Serravalle. The torrent is diverted to the slopes of the small mound on which Vocemola is located, surrounding the town on the west side. III. 46

3) A7 Motorway In Italy the motorway A7 is a north-south connection between the cities of Milan in the north and Genoa in the south. As mentioned before, it is located right next to Vocemola, on the east side exactly, where the topography of the town is higher. For this reason, when driving through the highway you can only see a very small part of Vocemola and the rest is lost from sight under the level of the highway. III. 47

III. 45 D’Abbiero, E. (2013). photography: Perspective view of train on Arquata Scrivia Train Station. III. 46 Pepe, G. (n.d). photography: “Torrente Scrivia”. III. 47 (2011). Google Maps view of A7 Motorway (Genoa-Milan). extracted from Google Maps.

3. Site Analysis

Arquata Scrivia Map

300

600

900

1500m

2 3

Vocemola

Linear territory lmited by Scrivia Torrent and A7 Motorway III. 48

III. 48 Map produced by the author. Division of Arquata Scrivia.

3.1. Vocemola| The Town next to the Motorway

Vocemola Town Accessibility One of the problems that the population of Vocemola felt the most was the connection with the capital, also due to the fact that the town is located on the opposite bank of the torrent in relationship to Arquata Scrivia, right at the point where the stream bed is very wide. In the 1800s, a first bridge was built, which consisted of a simple wooden footbridge. At the end of the 20th century, a complete renovation was carried out, which also involved the replacement of some spans.

In 2014, the demolition and reconstruction work was carried out on a 57-meter section of the bridge and a metal arch was placed that supports the deck by means of a series of hangers. The presence of the bridge solved the difficult accessibility to Vocemola from the capital. But, as it is blocked by the high-speed road on the east side, it has become a dead-end place where only the inhabitants enter, thus generating a deactivation of the place.

1800s

III. 49

1953

III. 50

2014

III. 51

III. 49 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (1800s). photography: Vocemola bridge on the last decade of the 1800s. III. 50 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (1953). photography. Vocemola bridge just after its inauguration on 1953. III. 51 Pepe, G. (n.d). photography: “Il nuovo ponte”.

3. Site Analysis

Arquata Scrivia Map

300

600

900

1500m

Arquata Scrivia

Vocemola Bridge

Vocemola

III. 52

III. 52 Map produced by the author. Vocemola connection to Arquata Scrivia.

3.1. Vocemola| The Town next to the Motorway

Landscape Role | Potential Tourism

1930s

2019

III. 53

III. 54

Plan for Reactivation of Tourism in Arquata Scrivia With the industrial era over, Arquata Scrivia wants to return to tourism, which was very important until the 1960s. The Municipality has in fact printed the tourist promotion poster that recalls the famous one of the 1930s, a drawing in which a man and a woman admired the town and where the slogan “Ideal holiday, Arquata Scrivia” stood out.

“Once there were Genoese vacationers - said the mayor, Alberto Basso at the presentation of the guide -, now that tourism is no longer there but Arquata deserves to be re-evaluated from a tourist point of view thanks to its many riches”.

Now the manifesto is ready and will support another project of the municipal administration, the tourist guide of Arquata Scrivia, officially a tourist municipality since 2019. Twenty-four pages with the architectural, historical, landscape and gastronomic peculiarities, such as the tower, the Gothic house, the badlands, the baroque well, the ancient villas. And then, the many local products.

III. 53 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (1930s). poster: “Villeggiatura Ideale”. III.54 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (2019). poster: “Villeggiatura Ideale”.

3. Site Analysis

Countryside Landscapes to Discover

“I opted for the countryside, finding there more delight and challenge, meaning and rewards than I could elsewhere. Yet, I chose the city as my place of work, my professional challenge. If we can create the humane city, rather than the city of bondage to toil, then the choice of city or countryside will be between two excellences, each indispensable, each different, both complementary, both life-enhancing. Man in Nature”.

III. 55

(McHarg, 1969)

Taking into account, the great interest of the city man to escape to the countryside in his spare time, especially today where the city is saturated. The intention to reactivate Vocemola, along with the presence of nature can be achieved if the appropriate tools are used. In the case of this project, it is planned to attract tourists through an architectural intervention that facilitates and enhances their experience in the existing nature. Since Arquata Scrivia’s territory is a valley, the orography of the site is extensive and there are various landscapes to discover. In the specific case of Vocemola, on its west side the mountains rise; thus they make up the valley. Due to the A7 Motorway, there is no connection that facilitates the access of the inhabitants and tourists of Vocemola to these natural landscapes. However, the presence of the service area next to Vocemola is a potential stay for travelers to stop and enjoy the experience offered by the natural landscapes of the valley. III. 56

III. 55 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (2019). photography: “Calanchi”. III. 56 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (2019). photography: “Leccio in Località Belvedere, Alcune specie di orchidee”.

3.2. Landscape Role| Potential Tourism

Service Area Users | Inhabitants and Travelers

The service area of A7 Motorway in Valley Scrivia has two ways to access. The first and most obvious is the A7 road itself by car, people who access this road at the moment do so to load gasoline and immediately continue with their trip. The second way to enter the service area could be by walking through the town of Vocemola on the west side or the east side (III. 57). On the east side, alsoseems to be an emergency access for cars, this access is restricted with a metal door (III. X) that will specifically allow garbage collection trucks or some other service or emergency vehicle such as an ambulance to enter. Currently, the inhabitants of Vocemola can cross from one side of the road to the other through a very narrow vehicular underpass. In short, being a service area of the A7 Motorway (which is accessed through a toll), it cannot allow other cars to access the highway in a transversal way, nor can be used for drivers to change to the opposite direction. For this reason, the inhabitants of Vocemola can enter the service area only by walking, although nowadays no inhabitant of Vocemola has any excuse or event that happens in the service area that motivates them to enter there. Given the above, we could conclude that the role of the service area nowadays has contributed to the fragility of the territory, as it is unattractive and obstructing. The aim of this thesis is to propose an intervention so that Vocemola Service Area is no longer a weakness but an opportunity. Turning it in a place of crosss connection between the east and the west of the A7 Motorway, thus creating a direct and recreational access to one of the mountains of the valley.

3. Site Analysis

Current access to Service Area from Vocemola:

WEST SIDE OF SERVICE AREA

EAST SIDE OF SERVICE AREA

Pedestrian

III. 57

Vehicular (restricted)

E W

Current

Proposed III. 58

III. 57 (2011). Google Maps views of west and east pedestrian entrance to Valley Scrivia A7 Motorway Service Area. III. 58 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagrams of current and propose pedestrian and vehicle accessibility to Valley Scrivia A7 Motorway Service Area.

3.3. Service Area Users| Inhabitants and Travelers

III. 59

III. 59 Edited by the author. Heat map of Valley Scrivia A7 Motorway Service Area.

3. Site Analysis

Giving the Service Area Intervention to the 126 Vocemola inhabitants

In the heat map (on the left), you can see the current situation of access to the service area, which can be summarized as an obstacle for Vocemola and a source of passage for motorway drivers. Through this project, the idea is to create in-between architecture, that in addition to attracting travelers to the place, will create a strong and accessible connection between west Vocemola and the natural context on the east side of the road. By making this, the event or excuse for residents to come to the service area is created, and indeed, people who want to visit the project from other nearby places such as Arquata Scrivia, must go through Vocemola. Also, by creating an attractive intervention that offers more than a gas station and restrooms, road drivers will be able to stay to visit the place and enjoy the experience it offers. In such a way, the service area of the motorway will no longer be a limit for the town, but will function as a meeting point between external and internal users. From the intervention it is expected that both types of users can benefit, but especially the residents of Vocemola, since being an attractive and tourist place, it becomes a suitable area to place businesses, generating employment and consequently improving the economic situation of Vocemola and the lifestyle of its residents.

3.3. Service Area Users| Inhabitants and Travelers

4 STRATEGY

* Steps to follow for the realization of the masterplan

Strategy

After analyzing the site in the last chapter, the project will seek the reactivation of the town of Vocemola and its surroundings. Taking the landscape as a tourist attraction and the service area as the connection point between the old and the proposed. A. ENLARGE THE EXISTING WALKWAY In order to integrate the existing with the proposed, the built footpth will begin where the existing road ends, resolving the obstruction of Vocemola due to the presence of the highway to the west. Then the footpath will cross the road and into the mountain. B. CONNECT TO THE NATURAL CONTEXT Crossing the highway through the built footpath in the form of a pedestrian bridge, the town of Vocemola is connected to the orography of the valley. The natural context is used as an element of attraction for external users, thus motivating landscape tourism that will benefit the reactivation of Vocemola. C. CONVERT THE NON-PLACE INTO A PLACE OF REST AND VISIT To turn the place of passage into a place of visit and stay, the service area offers new functions. The gas stations are maintained for the functionality of the motorway, but a main building is added that offers shops, restaurants, toilets and leisure spaces. The roofs of the buildings are connected by the built footpath, generating outdoor spaces that allow the relationship with the mountain, before reaching it. D. GENERATE ELEMENTS THAT MOTIVATE AND IMPROVE THE VISITOR’S EXPERIENCE Upon reaching the mountain, various components are located along the way, so that users can rest from the walk and contemplate the landscape, which is the main attraction.

4. Strategy

A C

D D

III. 60

Current Situation, Vocemola Town

100

150

250m

III. 61

EXISTING PATH (from Arquata Scrivia) 1. Vocemola Bridge 2. Vocemola Town 3. Motorway Service Area 4. Scrivia Torrent 5. A7 Motorway

4. Strategy

III. 62

1. VOCEMOLA BRIDGE

III. 63

III. 64

III. 65

2. VOCEMOLA TOWN

III. 66

3. A7 MOTORWAY SERVICE AREA III. 62 Preve Construzioni. (n.d). photography: Vocemola Bridge. III. 63 (2011). Google Maps Vocemola Town entrance coming from Arquata Scrivia. III. 64 Pepe, G. (n.d). photography: Vocemola houses. III. 65 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (n.d.). photography: Chiesa di San Bartolomeo. III. 66 (2011). Google Maps view of Valley Scrivia A7 Motorway Service Area from Vocemola.

Masterplan | Connecting the Site

1. Vocemola Bridge 2. Vocemola Town 3. Highway Service Area 4. Scrivia To

4. Strategy

100

150

250m

orrent 5. A7 Motorway 6. Cable Car 7. Mountain Rest Area 8. Watchtower

4.2. Masterplan | Connecting the Site

III. 67

5 INTERVENTION

* Walking through the users proposed experience

Footpath | Continuity and Interconnection The trail begins in the service area, connecting directly with the main road of Vocemola, crosses the road, integrates with the main building and finally begins a tour of the mountain, where it finds several breaks and/or viewpoints until reaching the top. The intervention is related to the natural context through contrast. Its reddish color indicates the way forward by means of a simple continuous “line”, which stands out on the site, but at the same time makes its surroundings stand out due to its opposite chromaticity. The path is 3 meters wide and is universally accessible, that is, it can be used by pedestrians, people in wheelchairs and cyclists since its slope does not exceed 12%. Inside the mountain, the path adapts to the topography, so that in the end the path results in a zig zag. On the east side of the road there is always a low wall approximately 50 centimeters high that retains the earth due to the cut made to build on the ground. USERS EXPERIENCE - The built footpath is the element in which visitors will spend most of their experience in a walk of approximately one hour and a half (not counting the rest times). - The distance to walk is 4.25 kilometers climbing a height of 310 meters from the motorway to the top of the mountain. - At the starting point is the main building of the service area where people can prepare and equip themselves for the walk. Along the way, different rest spaces are offered and finally the path ends at an observation point that offers a panoramic view of the valley.

5. Intervention

III. 68

5.1. Footpath| Continuity and Interconnection

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Sections, Built Footpath

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Gas Station Roof (Milan-Genoa)

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Orography PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Gas Station Roof (Genoa-Milan)

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

1.5

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Footbridge over A7 Motorway

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Service Area Building

III. 69

Watchtower Entrance

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

5.1. Footpath| Continuity and Interconnection

Mountain Footpath

WALKWAY Raw Concrete (Red pigmentation)

Deep stone filled trench

0.5

STRUCTURE Raw Concrete

100 mm 20-30N Red concrete

Containment Low Wall

Geotextile for filter purpose

100 mm 20-30N Compated Type 1 granular sub-base

Crossfall 1/40

Ground

III. 70

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Change of direction of the Footpath

5.1. Footpath| Continuity and Interconnection

III. 71

Motorway Service Area

5. Intervention

The service area is the connection point between the A7 Motorway, Vocemola and the landscape. Currently in this area there is a non-space used only by drivers who need to refill gasoline. Through the proposed intervention, the gas stations are maintained for functional reasons of the road, but not with the same design. In addition, a main building is located within the service area, which offers activities that will considerably lengthen the visits of users. Inside the building people will be able to walk, shop and eat. The gas stations are coupled to the built footpath way, creating on the roof slab accesible terraces that ca be used as recreative spaces that by being outdoors allow the relationship with the mountain, before reaching it. The main building is conformed by 2 volumes that are developed in different directions around a triangular courtyard. The lower volume responds to vehicular access on the service area and the higher volume to the sense of the topography. As with gas stations, the building creates terraces from the roofs. When the built footpath arrives to the first terrace of the building, it became part of it, going up the facade to reach the second terrace and finally meet the landscape. Since the topography touches the building in the back, the building facade can just face in direction to the a7 motorway. For this reason, the facade takes advantage of the natural light by using glass on the entire surface. Additionally, vertical elements are located along the facade,

separated from each other every 2 meters for controlling the sun with a serie of shadows. Those metallic elements work also structurally in the facade and a similar system is used in the gas stations where several metal structures in form of inverted U support the whole roof slab, but are also used to create shadow on the terraces with the X beams. The main materials used for the buildings are concrete and PPC Aluminium in light pink tone (for lining the metallic structure) . By using this vibrant color, the project pretend to relate with the context by contrast, representing a contemporary landmark of the site, which calls the attention of who sees it. All the materials and architectonic language of the Motorway Service Area are mantained on the overall project. USERS EXPERIENCE - People who came directly walking or cycling from Vocemola or Arquata Scrivia, will be able to take the road built towards the mountain continuously, without any obstacle that pauses the trip. Drivers arriving through Vocemola or the A7 Motorwhway, will be able to park their cars in the service area and immediately take the built footpath. - The walking journey from here to the next official rest area is around 1 hour. However, every 10 minutes until you get there, there are extensions of the footpath where you can also take small breaks.

III. 72

5.2. Motorway Service Area

Isometry, Motorway Service Area - Point of Connection

1. Vocemola Town

2. Park

3. Gas Station 4. Car parking 5. Truck Parking

5. Intervention

6. Pedestrian bridge

7 3 5

7. Underground Parking Access

8. Service Area Building

9 Cable Car Access

5.2. Motorway Service Area

10. Footpath

III. 73

Roof plan | Pedestrian Walkway, Motorway Service Area - Point of Connection

1. Vocemola Town

2. Park

3. Gas Station 4. Car parking 5. Truck Parking

5. Intervention

6. Pedestrian bridge

50m

8 7

6 5

7. Underground Parking Access

8. Service Area Building

9 Cable Car Access

5.2. Motorway Service Area

10. Footpath

III. 74

Roof Plan | Vehicular Flows, Motorway Service Area - Point of Connection

1. Vocemola Town

2. Park

3. Gas Station 4. Car parking 5. Truck Parking

5. Intervention

6. Pedestrian bridge

50m

8 7

6 5

7. Underground Parking Access

8. Service Area Building

9 Cable Car Access

5.2. Motorway Service Area

10. Footpath

III. 75

Underground Floor Plan (-3.00), Service Area Building

1. Undergrou

5. Intervention

30m

III. 76

und Parking

5.2. Motorway Service Area

Ground Floor Plan (+0.00), Service Area Building

2. Park 3. Gas Station 4. Car Parking 5.Truck Pa

5. Intervention

arking

30m

6 7 3 7

9 7 7

6. Hall 7. Shops 8. Storage 9. Courtyard

5.2. Motorway Service Area

III. 77

First Floor Plan (+5.00), Service Area Building

2. Park 4. Car Parking 5. Truck Parking 9. Courtyard 10. Outd

5. Intervention

30m

door Cafeteria 11. Terraces 12. Administration 13. Food Center

5.2. Motorway Service Area

III. 78

Terrace Floor Plan (+10.00), Service Area Building

2. Park 4. Car Parking 5. Truck Parking

5. Intervention

9. Courtyard 10

30m

0. Outdoor Cafeteria 11. Terraces 14. Cable Car Access

5.2. Motorway Service Area

III. 79

Roof Floor Plan, Service Area Building

2. Park 4. Car Parking 5. Truck Parking

5. Intervention

9. Courtyard 10

30m

0. Outdoor Cafeteria 11. Terraces 14. Cable Car Access

5.2. Motorway Service Area

III. 80

30m

Section X - X1

Built Footpath (Access from Vocemola)

Gas Sta Milan-Ge

Section Y - Y1

Cable car

Service Area Building

5. Intervention

Gas Station Genoa-Milan

A7 Mot

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

torway

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

ation enoa

Service Area Building

III. 81

Gas Station Milan-Genoa

Vocemola Territory

III. 82

5.2. Motorway Service Area

15m

Section A - A1

Section B - B1

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

+15.00

+10.00

+5.00

+0.00 III. 83

+15.00

+10.00

+5.00

+0.00

-3.00 III. 84

5.2. Motorway Service Area

15m

Section C - C1

+15.00 +13.00 +10.00

Section D - D1

+ +8.00 +5.00

+0.00

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

C D

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

+8.00 +5.00

+0.00 III. 85

+15.00 +13.00

+10.00

III. 86

5.2. Motorway Service Area

III.87 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram Motorway Service Area as point of connection.

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

The Path into the Building

5.2. Motorway Service Area

III. 88

Lorem Ipsum

Motorway Building facade / Transversal ped

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

destrian connection over the A7 Motorway

III. 89

5.2. Motorway Service Area

The connection of the terraces by the Buil

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

lt Footpath on the Motorway Service Area

III. 90

5.2. Motorway Service Area

Lorem Ipsum

Car/truck gas station and car p

100

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

parking (Milan-Genoa direction)

III. 91

5.2. Motorway Service Area

101

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Triangular Courtyard

102

5. Intervention

III. 92

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Circulation on ground floor

5.2. Motorway Service Area

III. 93

103

Exploded Isometry, Motorway Service Area

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT

5 10 20m III. 94

104

5. Intervention

CONSTRUCTIVE COMPOSITION

FINISHES

FOOTPATH [2] - Metallic structure with a thin layer of concrete covering on the top layer

[1] Raw Concrete

FACADE AND GAS STATION STRUCTURE [3][4] - PPC Aluminium lined metal structure with fixed glazing - Perforated PPC aluminum panels for handrails TERRACE FLOOR [1] - Reinforced concrete slab with steel beams FIRST FLOOR AND INTERIOR WALLS [1] - Reinforced concrete slab with steel beams - Solid walls made with precast concrete panels

[2] Raw Concrete (Red pigmentation)

[3] PPC Aluminium (Ligh pink tone)

[4] Perforated PPC Aluminium (Ligh pink tone)

GROUND FLOOR SLAB AND INTERIOR WALLS [1][3] - Reinforced concrete slab - Solid walls made with precast concrete panels and glass walls with aluminium profiles MAIN STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS [1] - Reinforced concrete retaining wall towards topography - Steel and concrete composite columns on the main building - Reinforced concrete support points for pedestrian bridge

5.2. Motorway Service Area

105

Cable Car: From the Service Area Building to the Mountain Rest Area

While the route takes place within the orography, the path intersects with the cable car route, at each crossing point the structure of the cable car and a platform that serves as a rest area and/or viewpoint for users coexist. The structure of the cable car has an inverted U form which frames both the lanscape and the “runway” of cable car cabins going above the platform. The presence of the cable car offers an attractive experience. It also provides alternative access for people who cannot (or do not want to) climb to the top of the mountain on foot. USERS EXPERIENCE - To enjoy this trip, users can access from the terrace of the main building of the Motorway Service Area and go up 185 meters more on altitude, until you reach a point on the mountain where the topography begins to be steeper. - The cable car ride from the Motorway Service Area to the Mountain Rest Area connnection is 3 minutes, compared to an hour that it would take walking. On the right side of the cable car exit there is a direct connection with the largest break of the route, while on the left side you can continue walking 30 minutes uphill until you reach the Watchtower that ends the route.

106

5. Intervention

III. 95

5.3. Cable Car

107

Intersection Cable Car - Footpath - Rest Areas and Viewpoints

III. 96

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

III. 97 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

(+160) PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

5. Intervention

(+130)

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

(+100)

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

(+185) PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

(+70)

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

(+40)

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Cable Car Exit

Exit to the direct connection with the Mountain Rest Area

(+10)

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Access from the terrace of the Service Area Building

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

108

Cable Car Access

Type Facade

10m

III. 98

Type Section

III. 99

5.3. Cable Car

109

Rest Area and Ca

110

5. Intervention

III.100

able Car structure

5.3. Cable Car

111

Mountain Rest Area

The Mountain Rest Area is located in the middle of the walking journey along the mountain for people who went by the buil footpath, and for users who took the cable car, this rest area is 40 meters away at the same altitude level. Its shape responds to the directions of the topography and protrudes a bit from the mountain in order to reach the levels of the treetops and appreciate the context from another perspective. By separating from the mountain, space is left for vegetation to grow in the middle of the built footpath and the rest area. The platform that constitutes this intervention is 65 meters long in total and 6 meters wide. To support the platform, the same structural elements of the gas stations in the service area are used. However, in this case the series of structures is placed in the middle of the platform, leaving a kind of overhang at the two ends. The design of the inverted U-shaped structure and its repetition, creates a semi-closed space, generating an interesting and necessary shadow play on the “seats” of the mountain rest area. USERS EXPERIENCE - To get to the Mountain Rest Area, you can do it walking or taking the cable car. - From this point, if the user wants to continue climbing to the top of the mountain, they can do it for approximately 30 minutes at a slow pace until the end of the built footpath.

112

5. Intervention

III.101

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

113

Isometry, Mountain Rest Area - Cable Car Exit

1. Shadow Rest Area

114

5. Intervention

III.102

2. Cable Car Access

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

115

Roof Floor Plan, Mountain Rest Area - Cable Car Exit

1. Shadow Rest Area

116

5. Intervention

20m

III.103

2. Cable Car Access

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

117

Floor Plan, Mountain Rest Area - Cable Car Exit

1. Shadow Rest Area

118

5. Intervention

20m

III.104

2. Cable Car Access

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

119

20m

Section E - E1

Section F - F1

+5.00 +0.00

III.106

120

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

+5.00

+3.00 +0.00

III.105

Section G - G1

+3.00 +0.00

III.107

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

121

III. 108 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Mountain Rest Area concept.

122

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Half way stop

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

III.109

123

Rest Area

124

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

a platform

III.110

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

125

Structure

126

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

shadows

III.111

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

127

Exploded Isometry, Mountain Rest Area and Cable Car exit

10 20

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

40m

III.112

128

5. Intervention

CONSTRUCTIVE COMPOSITION

FINISHES

FOOTPATH [1][2] - Pre-cast concrete low retaining wall towards topography - Cast on site concrete for the floor

[1] Raw Concrete

[2] Raw Concrete (Red pigmentation)

STRUCTURE Platform [3][4] - PPC Aluminium lined metal structure - Perforated PPC aluminum panels for handrails Cable Car [1] - Semi-circular precast composite element

[3] PPC Aluminium (Ligh pink tone)

[4] Perforated PPC Aluminium (Ligh pink tone)

PLATFORMS [1] - Reinforced concrete slab

5.4. Mountain Rest Area

129

Watchtower

The Watchtower tops the built path rising 12.5 meters above the ground at the top of the mountain, offering a panoramic view of the site on the top floor. The tower is divided into 6 floors, connected vertically by a stairway in the middle. Each floor relates to a different side and frames a different portion of the landscape. The built path enters the observation tower in the form of stairs, maintaining its red color. The rest of the tower maintains the pink color present throughout several structural elements in the project. The structure of the staircase stands 5 meters above the last floor, with the characteristic X-beams, present throughout the project. The facades of the tower are perforated, allowing light to enter and maintaining a visual relationship with nature inside. While the floors are totally solid but thin, giving a lighter look to the tower. USERS EXPERIENCE - After approximately 2 hours of walking (considering pause times) from the A7 Motorway, the ascent experience for users ends here with a panoramic view of the entire Scrivia Valley.

130

5. Intervention

III.113

5.5. Watchtower

131

Isometry, Watchtower

132

5. Intervention

III.114

5.5. Watchtower

133

Roof Floor Plan, Watchtower

Floor Plans, Watchtower

(0.00)

134

(+2.50)

5. Intervention

(+5.00)

10m

III.115

(+7.50)

(+10.00)

(+12.50) III.116

5.5. Watchtower

135

10m

Section H - H1

+12.50 +10.00 +7.50 +5.00 +2.50 +0.00

III.117

136

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Section I - I1

+12.50 +10.00 +7.50 +5.00 +2.50 +0.00

-3.00

III.118

5.5. Watchtower

137

III. 119 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Watchtower concept.

138

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

End of the Path

5.5. Watchtower

III.120

139

Picnic area around

140

5. Intervention

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

d the Watchtower

III.121

5.5. Watchtower

141

Exploded Isometry, Watchtower

10 20 40m

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION III.122

142

5. Intervention

CONSTRUCTIVE COMPOSITION

FINISHES

FACADE [4] - Perforated PPC aluminum panels

STRUCTURE [3] - PPC Aluminium lined metal columns

[2] Raw Concrete (Red pigmentation) FLOORS [3] - Laminated steel plate

[3] PPC Aluminium| Steel (Ligh pink tone)

[4] Perforated PPC Aluminium (Ligh pink tone) STAIRCASE [2][3] - Metallic structure with a thin layer of concrete covering on the top layer - Laminated steel plate for the handrails

FOOTPATH [2] - Cast on site concrete for the floor

5.5. Watchtower

143

144

6 CONCLUSION

145

III. 123 Handmade drawing by the author. Integral facade of the project.

146

6. Conclusion

Conclusion

This project was motivated by the exploration of the orography on the east of the Vocemola Service Area along the A7 Motorway. After analyzing the site and verifying the negative impact that the motorway has had on the historic town of Vocemola, it was intended to reactivate this isolated town between the A7 Motorway and the Scrivia Torrent, through the great tourist opportunity that the landscape around it represents. To achieve this, two main strategies were used, which were to lengthen the existing path and connect it with the natural context.

Finally, the project could easily be summarized in the experience it offers to two types of users, those residents of the nearby context and those travelers on the A7 Motorway, taking into account the connection point that was established in the service area by an in-between architecture. It is expected that when analyzing the experience of the users, it can be seen how the new elements precisely feed the main objective of reactivating the fragile territory through walking and resting in a potential tourist context.

By lengthening the existing path, the built footpath became the main actor of this intervention, which allowed users to walk throughout this experience. In the same way, complementing the latter, platforms that allow pause so that the user can rest and enjoy nature were designed. For the treatment of the elements used in the architectural design of the project, contrast was used. In order to create a striking and important landmark in the middle of an abandoned historical context that apparently no longer caught the attention of society.

147

Storyboard: Driving from the A7 Motorway

or cycling from Vocemola

A7 Motorway.- driving from Genoa to Milan

Vocemola Bridge.- Cycling from Arquata Scrivia to Vocemola

8:00

Vocemola Service Area.- entering to underground parking

At the exit of Vocemola.- entering to Vocemola Service Area

8:10

Inside the Service Area Building.- walking around

Footpath on the Building facade.- cycling to the last terrace to reach the mountain

Terrace of Service Area Building.- pedestrians taking the cable car and cyclist taking the footpath to the mountain

148

6. Conclusion

8:20

8:25

8:30

Inside the Cable Car cabin.- enoying the view

Built Footpath on th mountain.- cycling with a view of the cable car

9:30

Mountain Rest Area.- Pausing midway

9:45

Built Footpath.- Going up the mountain, to reach the top of it

10:00

On the last floor of the Watchtower.- appreciating a panoramic view of the valley, at the end of the walk III.124

6.1. Storyboard

149

150

151

BIBLIOGRAPHY

152

Appleyard, D.; Lynch, K.; Meyer, J. (1964). The View from the Road. MIT Press, Cambridge. Arquata Scrivia Comune Turistico. (n.d.). Comune di Arquata Scrivia

Restauración del ‘Paratge de Tudela-Culip’ (Club Med). (n.d.). TYS Magazine. extracted from: https://www.tysmagazine. com/restauracion-del-paratge-de-tudela-culip-club-med/

DETOUR Architecture and Design Along 18 National Tourist Routes in Norway. (2008). (3 ed.). Statens Vegvesen.

SeARCH Forest Tower. (n.d). Divisare. extracted from: https://divisare.com/projects/392112-search-jeroen-musch-foresttower

Koller, A. (2018). Performative Land-scapes. extracted from https://www.toposmagazine.com/performative-landscapes/

Torre Periscopio / OOPEA. (n.d). Plataforma Arquitectura. extracted from: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/ cl/794228/torre-periscopio-oopeaa

Loop of Wisdom, An Informal Icon. (n.d.). Powerhouse Company. extracted from: https://www.powerhouse-company. com/loop-of-wisdom

Vocemola. (n.d). Comune di Arquata Scrivia. extracted from: https://www.comune.arquatascrivia.al.it/?page_id=1574

MAAT / AL_A. (n.d.). Plataforma Arquitectura. extracted from: https://www. plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/797844/maat-al-a

Vocemola nel passato. (n.d). Comune di Arquata Scrivia. extracted from: https:// www.comune.arquatascrivia.al.it/?page_id=1500

Moreno, D.; Mera, J.; Andrade, J. (2014). Sendero y Mirador de la Comunidad Shalala-Quilotoa. Arquitectura Pananamericana. extracted from: https://www. arquitecturapanamericana.com/sendero-y-mirador-de-la-comunidad-shalala-quilotoa/ McHarg, I. (1969). Design with Nature. Natural History Press. Ramstad, R. (2014). Trollstigen Visitor Centre: Fjords Architecture by RRA. extracted from: https://www.archipanic.com/ fjords-architecture/

153

LIST OF IMAGES

III. 1 Handmade drawing by the author. Footpath created by the constant walking of people on the same place. III. 2 Handmade drawing by the author. Built footpath: Viewpoint Tugeneset (Senja, Norway) by Code, III.3 RRA. (2014). photography: Rest area on Trollstigen Visitor Centre.extracted from https://www.archipanic.com/fjords-architecture/ III. 4 RRA. (2014). photography: Stepped footpath o Trollstigen Visitor Centre. extracted from https:// www.archipanic.com/fjords-architecture/ III.5 RRA. (2014). photography: Aerial view of Trollstigen Visitor Centre viewpoint. extracted from https:// www.archipanic.com/fjords-architecture/ III. 6 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Trollstigen Visitor Center location. III. 7 Ardevol; EMF. (2010). photography: Viewpoint on Tudela-Culip Restoration Project. extracted from: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/02262994/restauracion-del-paraje-tudela-culip-emf III. 8 Ardevol; EMF. (2010). photography: Footpath on Tudela-Culip Restoration Project. extracted from: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/02-262994/ restauracion-del-paraje-tudela-culip-emf III. 9 Ardevol; EMF. (2010). photography: Footpath on Tudela-Culip Restoration Project. extracted from: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/02-262994/ restauracion-del-paraje-tudela-culip-emf III. 10 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Tudela-Culip Restoration Project location. III. 11 (n.d.). photography: Aerial view of Sáxholl Crater Stairway. extracted from: https://landscape. coac.net/saxholl III. 12 (n.d.). photography: Close-upl view of Sáxholl Crater Stairway. extracted from: https://landscape. coac.net/saxholl III. 13 (n.d.). photography: Upside down view of Sáxholl Crater Stairway. extracted from: https://landscape.coac.net/saxholl III. 14 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagrams of Sáxholl Crater Stairway. III. 15 Noguiera, F. (2016). photography: Facade view of MAAT. extracted from: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/797844/maat-al-a III. 16 Noguiera, F. (2016). photography: Bridge view of MAAT. extracted from: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/797844/maat-al-a

154

III. 17 Noguiera, F. photography: Facade view of MAAT. extracted from: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/797844/maat-al-a III. 18 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of MAAT location. III. 19 Leijonhufvud, J. (2020). photography: Path view of Loop of Wisdom. extracted from: https:// www.archdaily.com/949622/loop-of-wisdom-museum-powerhouse-company III. 20 Leijonhufvud, J. (2020). photography: Stairs view of Loop of Wisdom. extracted from: https:// www.archdaily.com/949622/loop-of-wisdom-museum-powerhouse-company III. 21 Leijonhufvud, J. (2020). photography: Aerial view of Loop of Wisdom. extracted from: https:// www.archdaily.com/949622/loop-of-wisdom-museum-powerhouse-company III. 22 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram ofLoop of Wisdom location.

III. 32 SeARCH. (n.d.). photography: Stairs view of Bostoren Tree Tower. extracted from: https://divisare. com/projects/392112-search-jeroen-musch-foresttower III. 33 Musch, J. (n.d.). photography: View from the ground of Bostoren Tree Tower. extracted from: https://divisare.com/projects/392112-search-jeroenmusch-forest-tower III. 34 Musch, J. (n.d.). photography: Perspective view of Bostoren Tree Tower viewpoint. extracted from: https://divisare.com/projects/392112-searchjeroen-musch-forest-tower III. 35 OOPEA (2014). photography: Section model of Periscope Tower. extracted from: https://oopeaa. com/project/periscope-tower/ III. 36 OOPEA (2014). photography: Interior stairs view of Periscope Tower. extracted from: https://oopeaa. com/project/periscope-tower/

III. 23 Handmade drawing by the author. Contemplation of Nature.

III. 37 OOPEA (2014). photography: Entrance view of Periscope Tower. extracted from: https://oopeaa. com/project/periscope-tower/

III. 24 Handmade drawing by the author. Closeness to Nature.

III. 38 Handmade drawing by the author.Secion and facade of Periscope Tower.

III. 25 Darquea, L. (2015). photography: Panoramic view of Shalala Lodge. extracted from: https:// www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/756388/mirador-en-quilotoa-shalala-jorge-javier-andrade-benitez-plus-javier-mera-luna-plus-daniel-moreno-flores

II. 39 Edited by the author. Map of A7 Motorway. extracted from Google Earth.

III. 26 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram and section of Mirador Quilotoa Shalala.

III. 41 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Giovi Service Area.

III. 27 Darquea, L. (2015). photography: Perspective view of Mirador Quilotoa Shalala. extracted from: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/756388/mirador-en-quilotoa-shalala-jorge-javier-andrade-benitez-plus-javier-mera-luna-plus-daniel-moreno-flores

III. 42 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Campora Service Area.

III. 28 (2018). photography: Panoramic view of Stegastein Fjord. extracted from: DETOUR Architecture and Design Along 18 National Tourist Routes in Norway. (2008). (3 ed.). Statens Vegvesen III. 29 (n.d.). photography: Perspective view of Stegastein Viewing Platform. extracted from: https://www.fjordnorway.com/things-to-do/stegastein-viewpoint-p1588013 III. 30 Handmade drawing by the author. Section and facade of Stegastein Viewing Platform. III. 31 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Bostoren Tree Tower concept.

III. 40 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Valley Scrivia Service Area.

III. 43 (n.d.). photography: Aerial view of Vocemola town and surroundings. extracted from: https://mapio.net/pic/p-3221191/ III. 44 Map produced by the author. Vocemola location on Arquata Scrivia. III. 45 D’Abbiero, E. (2013). photography: Perspective view of train on Arquata Scrivia Train Station. extracted from: https://trainspo.com/photo/44027/ III. 46 Pepe, G. (n.d). photography: “Torrente Scrivia”. extracted from: https://storiediterritori. com/2018/11/10/il-borgo-di-vocemola/ III. 47 (2011). Google Maps view of A7 Motorway (Genoa-Milan). extracted from Google Maps. III. 48 Map produced by the author. Division of Arquata Scrivia.

155

IIII. 49 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (1800s). photography: Vocemola bridge on the last decade of the 1800s. extracted from: https://www.comune.arquatascrivia.al.it/?page_id=1500

III. 65 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (n.d.). photography: Chiesa di San Bartolomeo. extracted from: https://www.comune.arquatascrivia.al.it/?page_ id=1574

III. 50 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (1953). photography. Vocemola bridge just after its inauguration on 1953. extracted from: https://www.comune.arquatascrivia.al.it/?page_id=1500

III. 66 (2011). Google Maps view of Valley Scrivia A7 Motorway Service Area from Vocemola. extracted from Google Maps.

III. 51 Pepe, G. (n.d). photography: “Il nuovo ponte”. extracted from: https://storiediterritori. com/2018/11/10/il-borgo-di-vocemola/ III. 52 Map produced by the author. Vocemola connection to Arquata Scrivia. III. 53 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (1930s). poster: “Villeggiatura Ideale”. extracted from Arquata Brochure Turistica. III.54 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (2019). poster: “Villeggiatura Ideale”. extracted from Arquata Brochure Turistica. III. 55 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (2019). photography: “Calanchi”. extracted from Arquata Brochure Turistica. III. 56 Comune di Arquata Scrivia. (2019). photography: “Leccio in Località Belvedere, Alcune specie di orchidee”. extracted from Arquata Brochure Turistica. III. 57 (2011). Google Maps views of west and east pedestrian entrance to Valley Scrivia A7 Motorway Service Area. Extracted from Google Maps. III. 58 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagrams of current and propose pedestrian and vehicle accessibility to Valley Scrivia A7 Motorway Service Area. III. 59 Edited by the author. Heat map of Valley Scrivia A7 Motorway Service Area. extracted from: https://www.strava.com/heatmap#10.72/8.46078/45.29170/hot/all.

III. 68 Plan made by the author. Footpath location on the project. III. 69 Sections made by the author. Schematic sections of the built footpath along the project. III. 70 Constructive section made by the author. Built footpath on the mountain. III. 71 Render made by the author. Change of direction of the footpath. III. 72 Plan made by the author. Motorway Service Area location on the project. III. 73 Isometry made by the author. Motorway Service Area – Point of connection. III. 74 Plan made by author. Roof plan, Motorway Service Area – Point of connection. III. 75 Plan made by author. Vehicular Flows, Motorway Service Area – Point of connection. III. 76 Plan made by the author. Underground floor plan (-3.00), Service Area Building. III. 77 Plan made by the author. Ground floor plan (+0.00), Service Area Building. III. 78 Plan made by the author. First floor plan (+5.00), Service Area Building.

III. 60 Plan made by the author. Strategy steps.

III. 79 Plan made by the author. Terrace floor plan (+10.00), Service Area Building.

III. 61 Plan made by the author. Current situation, Vocemola Town.

III. 80 Plan made by the author. Roof floor plan, Service Area Building.

III. 62 Preve Construzioni. (n.d). photography: Vocemola Bridge. extracted from: https://www.prevecostruzioni.com/

III. 81 Section made by the author. Section X – X1 Motorway Service Area.

III. 63 (2011). Google Maps Vocemola Town entrance coming from Arquata Scrivia. Extracted from Google Maps. III. 64 Pepe, G. (n.d). photography: Vocemola houses. extracted from: https://storiediterritori. com/2018/11/10/il-borgo-di-vocemola/

156

III. 67 Plan made by the author. Masterplan: connecting site.

III. 82 Section made by the author. Section Y – Y1 Motorway Service Area. III. 83 Section made by the author. Section A – A1 Building Service Area. III. 84 Section made by the author. Section B – B1 Building Service Area.

IIIII. 85 Section made by the author. Section C – C1 Building Service Area.

III. 106 Section made by the author. Section F – F1 Mountain Rest Area.

III. 86 Section made by the author. Section D – D1 Building Service Area.

III. 107 Section made by the author. Section G – G1 Mountain Rest Area.

III.87 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram Motorway Service Area as point of connection.

III. 108 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Mountain Rest Area concept.

III. 88 Render made by the author. The path into the building.

III. 109 Render made by the author. Mountain Rest Area protruding from the mountain.

III. 89 Render made by the author. Motorway building facade.

III. 110 Render made by the author. Mountain Rest Area platform.

III. 90 Render made by the author. Motorway Service Area courtyards.

III. 111 Render made by the author. Mountain Rest Area structure shadows.

III. 91 Render made by the author. Car/truck gas station and car parking (Milan – Genova direction).

III. 112 Isometry made by the author. Constructive composition of Mountain Rest Area and cable car access.

III. 92 Render made by the author. Triangular courtyard. III. 93 Render made by the author. Circulation on ground floor.

III. 113 Plan made by the author. Watchtower location on the project. III. 114 Isometry made by the author. Watchtower.

III. 94 Isometry made by the author. Constructive composition of Motorway Service Area buildings.

III. 115 Plan made by the author. Roof floor plan, Watchtower.

III. 95 Plan made by the author. Motorway Service Area and Mountain Rest Area connected by cable car.

III. 116 Plans made by the author. Floor plans, Watchtower.

III. 96 Handmade drawing by the author. Intersection cable car – Footpath, rest areas and viewpoints.

III. 117 Section made by the author. Section H – H1 Watchtower.

III. 97 Plans made by the author. Cable car rest areas.

III. 118 Section made by the author. Section I – I1 Watchtower.

III. 98 Facade made the author. Type facade of the cable car.

III. 119 Handmade drawing by the author. Diagram of Watchtower concept.

III. 99 Section made by the author. Type section of the cable car.

III. 120 Render made by the author. Entrance to the watchtower.

III. 100 Render made by the author. Cable car structure and rest area.

III. 121 Render made by the author. Picnic area next to the Watchtower.

III. 101 Plan made by the author. Mountain Rest Area location on the project.

III. 122 Isometry made by the author. Constructive composition of the Watchtower.

III. 102 Isometry made by the author. Mountain Rest Area – Cable car access.

III. 123 Handmade drawing by the author. Integral facade of the project.

III. 103 Plan made by the author. Roof floor plan, Mountain Rest Area – Cable car access.

III. 124 Handmade drawing by the author. Storyboard: Coming from Vocemola or the A7 Motorway.

III. 104 Plan made by the author. Floor plan, Mountain Rest Area – Cable car access. III. 105 Section made by the author. Section E – E1 Mountain Rest Area.

157

Master Degree Thesis A.Y. 2020-2021

Politecnico di Milano | Scuola di Architettura Urbanistica Ingegneria delle Construzioni Architecture - Built Environment - Interiors

Carla Altamirano Saavedra

Supervisor: Co- Supervisor:

matricola:

913020

Prof. Andrea Rolando Prof. Alessandro Scandiffio

Supervisor Andrea Rolando Co-supervisor Alessandro Scandiffio Student Carla Altamirano Saavedra

Politecnico di Milano AUIC School Master of Architecture - Built Environment - Interiors A.Y. 2020-2021

Rest and Walk around Vocemola Service Area along the A7 Motorway

Articles inside

List of Images

Bibliography

3.2. Landscape Role | Potential Tourism

3.3. Service Area Users| Inhabitants and Travelers

Abstract

2.2. Rest| Architecture in Open Space

6. Conclusion

6.1. Storyboard

1. Introduction

2.1. Walk| Built Footpath