/ I N FR ASTR UCTUR E /
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SOPHISTICATED CAMOUFLAGE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT BY A MULTIFACETED SCREEN OF TRIANGULAR PANELS, THIS BIOENERGY PLANT IN RAVENNA REINTERPRETS THE UNCONVENTIONAL RAZZLE DAZZLE MILITARY CAMOUFLAGE TECHNIQUE. WORDS PEARLIE TAN /
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P HOTOGRAPH Y MASSIMO CRIVELLARI
F
1-2. The imposing volume of the bioenergy plant is mitigated by the sculptural, multifaceted design of the outer skin. To minimise the perception of the height of the power plant, landscaped dunes were created along the perimeter.
32
by
or a hulking bioenergy plant that supplies
electricity
households,
Giovanni
the
Vaccarini
to
The dissimulation of this massive
84,000
structure is inspired by the Razzle Dazzle
Powerbarn
technique, which was used to camouflage
Architetti
treads lightly in terms of visual and environmental impact.
warships during World War I. “This is not about hiding, but about proposing a different reality to the
Surrounded by agricultural fields
observer, a more complex and deceptive
near the city of Russi in Emilia-Romagna,
one that, paradoxically, tends to attract
Italy, the eye is drawn to the geometric
his attention, making him wonder at
wooden hull and sculpted metal tower
what he sees,” says architect Giovanni
that dominate the landscape.
Vaccarini.
The furnace building and chimney
“The ambition was to think that an
of the Powerbarn are enveloped in a
industrial building could be beautiful and
compelling
a landmark for the area.
skin
of
large
triangular
shapes woven in a multifaceted pattern,
“The
a mutable disguise that offers an-ever
connecting
result
changing perception of the building in
surrounding area and by sharing the
different conditions.
project’s values.”
the
was
achieved
building
with
by the
