Urban Mediation Project

This project focuses on making close and objective observations of a site. This in turn, is then used to determine new possible developments that are both beneficial and appealing to the community.

The site of this project is located in a smaller residential section of the city of Volterra, an ancient Etruscan walled town in the Soutwest of Florence. Many parts of the city, due to the progression of time and multiple reconstructions, has been left with many pockets of unused spaces scattered within its walls. This progression of time and an ingrained human habit has left this space almost as if in a state of limbo— long enduring disuse and disregard.

Volterra, Italy

Inspections and observations based on a multitude of criteria determined how to fill and use the space. Some of the initial inpsections conducted were through basic circulation observations and negative space visualizations.

Circulation observations show that this space, although empty and unoccupied, is never stepped upon or even acknowledged. Even though there is adequate space to be used for a multitude of purposes, almost all reported residents entering in and out of the area stick closely to the original pedestrian walkway. In addition to a brief negative space visualization, it is as if the space itself is completely walled o and covered.

Besides the site itself, the surrounding context also plays a crucial role in determining a potential use for the site. The surrounding context of the site is a pedestrian pathway to and from the main roads of the city. Young or old, it is through this area that many pedestrians reach their homes, school, work, or other daily destinations.

Thus it was determined that this site had the potential to be used for a small recreational space for the community. This could be a space used as a small stop for pedestrians to spend time and amuse themselves during their brief respite.

The unused site and its surrounding context. Many pedestrians travel through this area without ever touching or aknowledging its existence.

The proposed design of the development is both playful and engaging. The interior was designed to mimic a small maze puzzle, as if to o er a fun side trip and adventure to the main trip. As many students traverse this way to reach their schools, this type of design seems to be the most fitting.

The directionality in which pedestrians walk by the site heavily influences the outer design. This design notion is especially prominent when approaching from the south side of the site. many pedestrians enter the site and its surrounding context through a narrow walkway and tunnel that abruptly opens into the wide empty space. Almost as if the ceiling is taken away from your vision, as you exit the tunnel and into the open site your vision is naturally drawn upward. Therefore pedestrian’s eyes will naturally be drawn upward as they approach from the southern entrance. This is the main reasoning behind the diagonal reduction in the south exterior.

In approaching the design, the social and culture aspect of the community also must be respected. In Italy, it is common to find many common spaces throughout the city, often refered to as Palazzos. Paying homage to this notion of a shared city common space is yet another observation that influenced the final direction of the design.