POLITECNICO DI MILANO Scuola di Architettura Urbanistica Ingenieria delle Construzioni Laurea Magistrale in Architecture and Urban Design A.A 2017-2018
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO
STUDENT
Cristina Pallini Josep María García - Fuentes Vitomir Racic
Javier Jiménez Barona Miguel Peña Menudo
894896 896728
INDEX Como survey 6
Historical context
8
Urban context
12
Surroundings
Politeama Survey 16
Historical context
17
Actual condition
18
Plans - Functional analysis
Previous Project 24
Javier Jiménez Borona
40
Miguel Peña Menudo
Project 56
Project brief - Guiedlines
57
Abstract
58
References
60
First Ideas - Sketches
66
Step 2 - Boards
72
FInal Project
H I STO R I C A L C O N T E X T
T
Como_Lombardy, Italy
his historical city is located at the The Kingdom of the Lombards played an southern border of the Lake Como, at enormous role in Como’s history. 40 kilometers from Milan in the north of Lombardy. The kingdom was separated into different duchies, which enjoyed a high degree of autonomy in Due to its position in the lake, the city relation to the central authority that was settled in of Como is a tourist destination with more than Pavia. Over time, the Lombards adopted Roman 215.000 overnight guests every year, plus the many titles, as well as many Roman traditions. tourists that make a trip of a single day to the town.
In 1127, after a ten year war against Milan which The importance of Como history should not be caused the complete destruction of the city, Como underestimated. Over the centuries, a succession lost its dominance, only to retrieve it again thanks of important historical events and people have left to Frederick Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor. a permanent mark on the city. Como history would be incomplete without mentioning the importance of Roman influence on the region. In 196 BC, consul Marco Claudio Marcello conquered the areas occupied by the Gauls and Como became part of the Roman Empire.
Barbarossa rebuilt and enlarged the defensive walls which protected the city and also restored the Castel Baradello, a military fortification located on top of a hill. Later on, the imposing towers of Porta Torre, San Vitale, and Porta Nuova were built to defend the main entrance of the city. Como was under the influence of the Duchy of Milan beginning in the 14th century, and also through the French invasion and Spanish domination, which characterized the centuries to come. Around 1700, European nobles and intellectuals gave birth to a phenomenon known as Grand Tour, a trip around Europe that was meant to increase their knowledge.
Later, in 59 BCE, Julius Caesar had the swamp near the southern tip of the lake drained, leading to the founding of Novum Comum. The village experienced a period of splendor, becoming an important center for trade. Wealthy aristocrats and other notable figures settled in Como to enjoy its mild temperatures and experience both its natural and man-made beauty.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 5
After the Napoleonic period (the emperor was in Como on May 4, 1796 and he saw the construction of the “Napoleona”, a road connecting the VareseMilan-Cantù, and the Teatro Sociale, a small neoclassical jewel in the first half of the eighteenth century) it was not deaf to the European and Italian revolutionary ferments. Just thinking how Count Luigi Porro Lambertenghi, founder of the subversive newspaper “Il Conciliatore” was condemned for the progressive ideas he advocated; to Cesare Cantù, relieved of his teaching post for his liberal ideas.
The turning point of 1848 is extremely indicative: on 20 March, two days after the beginning of the “Five days of Milan”, the population of Como rosed and forced the Austrian garrison stationed at the San Francesco’s barracks to surrender.
of the century, as evidenced by the presence The obelisk, on the lakeside, in the choice of the in the city of new work forces, whose dignified site, testifies to the sacrifice of soldiers on land, accommodation was accomplished with the sea and sky, and in its verticalization seems to elevate the high values of patriotism to the eternal. construction of new neighborhoods.
The Great War (1915-1918) made, among others, With the defeat of Carlo Alberto the situation was the victim Antonio Sant’Elia, a young architect, normalized, despite the attempts to destabilize signer of the Manifesto of Futurist Architecture, Giuseppe Mazzini, present in Switzerland. who with exuberant imagination designed a futuristic city, as can be deduced from the projects The Second War of Independence (1859) saw preserved in the museum. Giuseppe Garibaldi working in the area, who, after the battle of S. Fermo, in which he died chap. Carlo De Cristoforis, triumphantly entered in Horn liberated, guest of the Marquis Rovelli, in the palace of Piazza Volta, where a plaque also can remind to the episode
Already from the 1930s Italian abstraction also had a valid point of reference in Como, thanks to the research of artists such as Mario Radice, Carla Badiali, Manlio Rho and Aldo Galli, who, partly inspired by Mondrian and Kandinsky, valued with addition and color subtraction the lesson of
After centuries of domination our city is finally part of the new Kingdom of Italy of Savoy, marked at the beginning by the desire to equalize the rights and duties, without any discrimination of particular regional problems. First the Municipality of Como was governed by the liberal-conservative right, supported by Bishop Cesana. Then, with the left governments, starting from 1876, the need of social improvement were examined, which, in Como, highlighted by the newspaper of Aristide Bari and from the action of Paolo Carcano, they ended up making improvements to the working class and facilitating new jobs.
During the Fascist era, which imposed the culture of the regime throughout Italy, the architect Giuseppe Terragni worked at Corno, carrying out rationalist works of world importance (the Novocomum dwelling unit, the Palazzo del Fascio, the Asylum Sant’Elia), and also in compliance with the German experience of the Bauhaus by Walter Como in the twentieth century, beyond the sad Gropius. interlude of the World Wars, is a flourishing and flourishing city, thanks to the industry of dyeing and AI Terragni also belongs to the adaptation of the silk industry. “Monument to the fallen”, which, by the will of the So in the fervor of a new social reality, and leaving behind the epic of the Risorgimento heroes, whose memory and effigies are prominent in the Museo Rigorgimentale and inside Palazzo Cernezzi (Town Hall)
This specialization is present at the beginning
eminent fascist culture, was realized by reworking a design of Sant’Elia. POLITEAMA RENOVATION 6
Terragni, transposing it in the pictorial field. This is the culture! The rest is work, conducted indefatigably by the imagination of the textile and silk workers, who have in their blood the harmony transmitted by the tranquil waters of the lake and the aesthetic sense projected by secular architectures, which protect and reassure the spaces.
URBAN CONTEXT
Como_Lombardy, Italy
T R A I N S TAT I O N ACADEMIC BUILDINGS T H E AT R E MONUMENTS ANCIENT CITY LAKE F R E E O P E N S PA C E S C I T Y WA L L R A I LW AY P AT H ( R a i l w a y - R a i l w a y )
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 7
URBAN CONTEXT
What Como can give us?
Como is located on the southern end of the western branch of Lake Como, south to the Alps,in a small basin surrounded by wooded moraine hills. It borders directly with Switzerland and is about 40 km from Milan. Easy transportation and the beautiful Como Lake makes Como an attraction for tourists home and abroad.The Lake brings peaceful sceneries as well as excitements of aquatic sports like boating, hydroplane-flying, swimming, surfing. The city is also a good stop for biking.
the museum of science and the very famous Villa Olmo for exhibitions... Those museums provide good destination for citizens’cultural life. Also, many events are held in Como every year: music festivals, outdoor movie festivals, special markets...numerous cultural activities make the city live vivid and enjoyable. There are many important buildings around the city center. Some for religious reason some for its architectural art value.
Lake
Casa del Fascio
The city is an Italian municipality of 83 thousands of inhabitants, capital of the homonymous province in Lombardia,except of the popular tourism destination also an industrial center based on the silk industry.
Cathedral
Stadium
Villas
Sculptures
Museum
Theatres
Roman rests
City wall doors
Palaces
Squares
Around the Piazza del Duomo there is Como cathedral, one of the major cathedrals of upper Italy.
Inside the historic core there are well-preserved medieval walls, watchtowers, splendid churches Como enjoys a very nice atmosphere of cultural and many other cultural relics. events. Inside its region there are many important Como is the starting point of the Nationalism colleges and universities: The “Giuseppe Verdi” architecture movement, there are also very Conservatory of Music, the “A. Galli” Academy important modern buildings designed by of Fine Arts, MIUR), the Politecnico di Milano, Giuseppe Terragni: the Casa del Fascio, the Monument to the Fallen, the Sant’Elia Asylum and contributing to both art, music, and science. the Novocomum. There are also many museums in Como: the archeological museum of P. Giovio, the Giuseppe Garibaldi history museum, the gallery, the monumental temple Voltiano, the museum of silk, POLITEAMA RENOVATION 8
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 9
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 10
SURROUNDINGS OF POLITEAMA
Piazza “Cacciatori delle alpi”
(PHOTO)
On the opposite of the south façade of the Politeama’s theater is the piazza Cacciatori delle alpi, which currently houses a bar, as well as a small kiosk. The plaza provides public space for residents to spend their daily free time. Once there were some events happening.
situation of the Politeama, much discussed case that has not yet found a solution, hoping to open a new debate to bring back to it a new life. That is why we understand it as an interesting place when analyzing the location and surroundings of the project, to better understand how this function and exploit its many possibilities
It will also be a reminder to all of the city about the
Train Station Just 5 minutes walk from the project location we find the Como San Giovanni station, one of the ways of reaching the city of its inhabitants who work outside it, as well as many tourists. Regular trains arrive from this station from Milan in about an hour’s journey, which is why it is an important point of the city in terms of infrastructures.
(PHOTO)
In addition, from this station you can catch trains that have their destination in the different towns that are located on the shores of Lake Como, so its importance is increased.
Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto Another of the important places near the Politeama is the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto, as well as the school that is located after it. Due to the great religious tradition of this country, in which many churches that stand out for their architecture and art crown the main squares of cities and towns throughout its territory, we can understand that the axis that forms between the station and the center of the city, and one of the avenues on which the old city wall was located, forming this square where both the church and the Politeama Theater are located should have a manifest importance in the municipality of Como ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 11
Residential buildings
Lago di Como Lake Como, also known as Lario after the Latin name of the lake, is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy.
The theatre is surrounded by the residential fabrics. To the south-east of the building, it is the old town developed since Roman times, mainly occupied by local inhabitant.
In guidebooks the lake may be variously referred to as Lake Como, Lake of Como, or Como Lake. Its name comes from the city of Como, known to the Romans as Comum.
The old town is a typical Italian network of pavement cafes, little squares and picturesque lanes, some bustling with shops, others empty and peaceful. The buildings in the old town are mostly remained the original style.
While the town of Como is referred to as Como, the lake is never referred to solely by this name.
Apart from the old house, there are some kinds of new housing buildings around. Nowadays daily life round Como is enriched; as result it makes a request for renewing Politeama, in order to provide space for public activities under the circumstance of residence.
It has an area of 146 square kilometres (56 sq mi), making it the third-largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. At over 400 metres (1,300 feet) deep, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe, and the bottom of the lake is more than 200 metres (660 ft) below sea level. Lake Como has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, and a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. It has many villas and palaces (such as Villa Olmo, Villa Serbelloni, and Villa Carlotta). Many famous people have had and have homes on the shores of Lake Como.
Educational builgings Università degli Studi dell’Insubria is next to Politeama in the north. Besides there are some educational institutions like Lake Como Institution and Giosuè Carducci Association.
The lake is shaped much like an inverted letter “Y”. The northern branch begins at the town of Colico, while the towns of Como and Lecco sit at the ends of the southwestern and southeastern branches respectively. The small towns of Bellagio, Menaggio and Lierna are situated at the intersection of the three branches of the lake: a triangular boat service operates between them.
It suggests that young students are gathering. A space for young people is expected, new life for Politeama is urge to be awake.
Lake Como is fed primarily by the Adda River, which enters the lake near Colico and flows out at Lecco. This geological conformation makes the southwestern branch a dead end, and so Como, unlike Lecco, is often flooded. As a tourist destination, Lake Como is popular for its landscapes, wildlife, and spas. It is a venue for sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. In 1818 Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote to Thomas Love Peacock: “This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty, with the exception of the arbutus islands of Killarney. It is long and narrow, and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests”.
Sport Area The sports area that host the main stadium of the city, as well as the port are also close to the theater. In this area there are also public gardens with which the sports facilities are complemented, and the Memorial to the Fallen, as well as the lake itself, so it is a place widely concurred in the everyday in Como, making this place one of the hot spots for both residents and tourists POLITEAMA RENOVATION 12
In the area surrounding Lake Como there are several farms which produce goods such as honey, olive oil, cheese, milk, eggs and salamis. Visitors can find lists of these farms and typically visit the farm itself in person to make their purchases. The lake is well known for the attractive villas that have been built there since Roman times, when Pliny the Younger built the Comedia and the Tragedia resorts. Many villas on the lake shores have admirable gardens that benefit from the mild climate induced by the stabilising presence of 22.5 km³ of lake water and are fit to host tropical plants.
5 Minutes Walk to Como - San Giovanni train station
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 13
6 Minutes Walk to Como Lake
8 Minutes Walk to City Center
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 14
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 15
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 16
B U I L D I N G _ H I STO R I C A L C O N T E X T
Today Politeama does not host any cultural or
commercial activity that
can maintain adequate maintenance. Yes, the
building has remained closed for more than
T
he theater was created with the initiative of a group of professionals who wanted to revive the cultural life of Como, especially after the Teatro Cressoni and the Teatro Sociale were closed for a while due to some remodeling works.
The goal is to create a modern structure that can work at any time of the year and offer reasonable prices and a wide variety of exhibits.
10 years, waiting for a
Therefore, in 1908 the Polytechnic Society of Como was founded with the aim of organizing performances of music and music, dances and concerts in this theater.
replacement.
However, it was still necessary to physically build a theater. The previous experience of the architect Federico Frigerio turned out to be the right one
restoration or a complete
to congratulate for the design together with the engineer Andrea Valli. Together they were able to create the first reinforced concrete building in Como, an absolute novelty for the time. The theater was inaugurated on September 14, 1910 with a presentation of “La bohemia” by Puccini with great success on the part of the public. It was already done during its first years until new ones were discovered in the way of its planned operation.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 17
Throughout a century, a great diversity of functions was established in the building that complemented its original use as a theater. Starting with a cafe and restaurant and a fourteenroom inn next to a bar in the 1910s. When the First World War broke out, it also affected Politeama directly in the sense that the
Italian army requested to use its facility and was transformed into a hospital during the war. The rise of the film industry and its appeal is also a way to show the film’s exhibition. Ironically, this was the main use that Politeama had in his last years of work. Due to new security laws, some areas were considered unsafe and, therefore, closed to access. Therefore, its main capacity and its use as theater diminished and only the restaurant and bar with direct access from the street were opened with periodic projections of films that ended in 2005. Today Politeama does not host any cultural or commercial activity that can maintain adequate maintenance. Yes, the building has remained closed for more than 10 years, waiting for a restoration or a complete replacement.
BUILDING_ACTUAL CONDITION
Since Politeama has closed its doors in 2005 few events were held in the theatre. At this moment, the room is currently equipped with 433 seats and as Politeama is a theatre created for music, where were performed operas, the acoustically is in place. The dressing rooms and the rooms were reduced to skeletons shutters, the structure is falling apart and there is rain inside. Now a days the difficulty is how to manage the historic Politeama Theatre in the heart of a city like Como not just in future but in the present. It is easier to finance a work when there is consensus and is targeted, instead restoring a monument. As a result, Politeama is abandoned because of nothing to do with. Now is the time to change this situation and return to make this building as a reference site in the place, giving it a new life and making it impact both citizens and tourists who visit this city. POLITEAMA RENOVATION 18
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 19
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
FUNCTIONAL SCHEMES
T H E AT R E R E S TA U R A N T ENTRANCE H OT E L
A
s we can see, most of the constructed area of the current building is dedicated to the scenic space and the grandstand, giving priority to its importance over any other functionality it hosts.
The theatre mainly occupies the north part. On the ground level(+0,95m) is the auditorium hall equipped with 433 seats, along with six balconies on first floor (+4,15m) and other auditorium rooms on second floor (+9,45m) reaching a capacity of 1300 people.
However, both in the main faรงade and in the one that faces one of the main avenues that adjoin the theater, the public spaces, hotel and restaurant are arranged, so that it is easily visible how these acquire an important nuance in the composition of the building.
In the southeast part locates the restaurant on ground floor and the hotel upper. It has its own entrances for use. What is worth to mention is that this two parts are separated spatially on upper floor. The hotel rooms are mostly provided for actors and performers who made shows in it.
The main entrance of the theatre is set in the south side, facing the plaza Cacciatori delle Alpi.
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 20
EAST ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
NORTH ELEVATION
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 21
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
T
CROSSED SECTION
he first building built in the city with reinforcedconcrete structures, today looks like 100 years ago as a large and compact building.
Inside, in addition to the theatre room with a capacity of 1300 people (at the time of opening) between the hall and the balcony. It was considered aninnovative theatre since it removed the lounge chairs that could accommodate the circus. The architect Frigerio studied in the smallest details the way to enter large-sized animals inside the theatre, creating a large portal on the secondary side through which access was made to the underpass. This was made of wood with a completely removable beam structure and pillars to allow access to the room for all types of animals.
It seemed that Politeama theatre was a He also studied the entrance to Via XXVIII Ottobre multifunctional facility full of potential to hold today renamed as Felice Cavallotti. competition to the other public showrooms. The entire structure was vertically closed by A few years after its opening the theatre was glazed walls. On the main gallery and partly on the east side, serigraphs were displayed on the mainly used as a projection room. glazed walls, on which were famous characters However, the prosperous era of opera and prose who performed at Politeama during the years. didn’t last for long as it was placed by magazine media and varieties “weekly provide leisure The silk-screen prints were made with an opacity opportunities for the popular audience throughout of 70-80%, in some cases hidden inside the tie rods to tighten the structure. The purpose of the the country”. project, with the introduction of a new hall, was to In 1938 the architect Frigerio tried to design an keep alive the concept behind Politeama’s original open-air cinema, never realized, in the space project, building a multifunctional space that can between the back of Politeama and Oriani Street. be used on every occasion. The architect studied in detail the pattern of the Politeama is in the history of the city and in the staircases, the stage mouth and the stage in wood. heart of so many inhabitants of Como
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 22
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
INDIVIDUAL FIRST PROPOSALS
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 23
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 24
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 25
M U S I C , A R T S A N D E D U C AT I O N It is based on the idea of theater, a cultural focus in itself, so it is decided to study culture in Como. It is not just academic education that we can find, if not numerous music schools, arts and venues, like two other theaters. Without counting on the University, headquarters of the Polytechnic of Milan, as well as local press, radio and numbers museums and sports centers.
1.Politeama 2.Teatro Sociale di Como 3. Teatro la Lucernetta 4. Conservatory of music
There is also a municipal library, so it seems that cultural activities are almost covered.
5. CittĂ di Como Theater Company
But after the analysis, there is a lack of an area in wich all these activities are integrated and areas of extracurricular education and the performing arts are incorporated. As well as suitable areas for the representation of smaller musicals and works at local scale.
6. Library
A multicultural and polyvalent space, which leaves the Politeama as the ideal place. A step from cultural focus to cultural center.
7. School of music 8. Art gallery 9. Arte Contemporanea gallery
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 26
SILK AND COMO
Since the Middle Ages the textile industry in Como has played an important role. The wool and skin at first gave way to textiles such as silk that at the end of the 1400 began to spread more and more to become something more important in the 1600, while the other products suffered competition from northern countries. The silk greggia and semiworked were two of the most important forms in which this product was presented and that gave the city of as an identity. That is why it is decided to study this element, for the idea of the textile, always linked to the backstage of the theaters and for its capacity to modify the space and life of the silkworm itself, which is capable of changing and modifying its body,leaving the same package that creates. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 27
E l a b o ra t i o n o s s i l k te x t i l e p ro c e s s
M e ta m o r p h o s i s p ro c e s s
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 28
First attemp
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 29
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
FOURTH FLOOR PLAN
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 30
ROOFTOP PLAN
EAST ELEVATION
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 31
SOUTH ELEVATION
NORTH ELEVATION
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 32
Second proposal: Cocoon
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 33
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 34
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 35
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 36
P O L I T E A M A’ S T H E AT R E R E N O VAT I O N Miguel Peña Menudo
ENTRANCE/TICKET OFFICE/REST AREA MAIN SCENE AREA SECONDARY SCENE AREA / TERRACES EXHIBITION ZONE / MULTIFUNCTION TERRACES / EXHIBITION ZONE
VOLUME 1
VOLUME 2
VOLUME 3
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 37
Due to the existence of a great theater in Como, as well as the new demands and demands of the city, it is proposed to provide new functions and a renewed character to the Politeama, turning it into a polyvalent Socio-Cultural Center where the assistants can find artistic exhibitions, theater and microtheatre functions, as well as musical and cinematographic exhibitions, or even hold conferences and seminars. After the relatified analysis above, a renovation intervention can be made at a specific level, but also in a slightly more generalized area. As a starting point, and due to its location, the space in front of the theater would be interesting as an area of social coexistence, thus enhancing the image of the building, and creating a greater relationship between it and the surrounding space.
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 38
VOLUME ONE Erntrance&Exhibition hall
Entering into the rehabilitation of the theater, the first proposal is to convert the entrance area into an open reception area that can also house the function of ticket office and rest area, with the aim of improving the conditions of the users of this center reaching a state of comfort.
Another of the strong points of the intervention will be to replace the space occupied by the hotel with that of an exhibition hall, in which we can find a double-height space and a height on the second floor of this linked in the area of the stage, where can take advantage to have another vision of the works of artists, as well as being able to enjoy a drink looking at the scenic space.
In addition, the access to the central area of the building is done by this first volume, emphasizing the importance of this one previously lacking, and being able to appear connected the functions that both lodge, giving a greater value of unity to the final project
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 39
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 40
VOLUME ONE Erntrance&Exhibition hall
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 41
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 42
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 43
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 44
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 45
V O L U M E T W O &T H R E E Scenic spaces
Likewise, the current stalls disappear to give place to what will be one of the two neuralgic points of the new Center, creating a tiered step system around a middlemost spot where the shows will be held or even serve as an exhibition space. These new proposals will be developed for the realization of the intervention in the current Teatro Politeama, as well as giving a new face to the elements that is not proposed to transform in this phase of the project, creating a uniformity that endows the character that is sought, and to turn Politeama back as a place of social encounter and artistic place that this was for decades and that today is proposed to recover.
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 46
CONCERTS
THEA
Due to the local need for a space where musical performances can be developed, the central location can be covered, and the stand dismantled to allow a suitable audience situation
It can also be used as a normal thea the facilities of a normal theater
CINEMA
P
Within the different functionalities, the use of the central space is proposed as a place where the public can be placed during cinematographic projections
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 47
Due to the wide area that the events and receptions, as well as
EXPOSITIONS
ATRE
ater stage, reproducing scenes with
As a multifunctional space, it can serve as a support for the place dedicated especially to the exhibitions and exhibitions raised in volume 1.
PARTY
Politeama has, it can host different s occasional parties and celebrations.
CONFERENCE As normally happens in this type of buildings, conferences and seminars are equally housed. In this case, due to the arrangement of the spaces, it can work in different ways, emphasizing the multifunctional character
POLITEAMA RENOVATION 48
PROJECT BRIEF
T
his studio challenges students to transform an existing historical building, based on the idea that any work of architecture can be understood in a cultural continuum, as the outcome of a complex cultural, social and political struggle. This entails an understanding of both architecture and heritage as a process, rather than as revered objects to be preserved.
It therefore requires a thorough interpretation of existing buildings, identifying how their architecture and materials expressed the values they sought to represent at the time, and how these meanings may or may not be extended, or redefined, by a new intervention. The idea to convert the Politeama into and auditorium for the local Conservatory of Music has recently regained momentum. This will require at least 500 seats, rehearsal studios, some lecture rooms and the necessary ancillary spaces (dressing rooms, toilets, depots and technical rooms. In line with the multi-purpose layout of the existing structure, the new auditorium should also include a cafeteria restaurant, small shops and meeting rooms.
GUIEDLINES
1. Show - on a map, a model a photomontage – which elements of the urban context, according to you, might be seen as closely related to the Politeama, for different reasons: physical proximity, functional similarity / complementarity, presence of the same kind of users, etc. After having identified what, according to your understanding, could become relevant in the urban context to help revive the Politeama, show how these relationship are related to space (urban space, roads, squares, etc) and how they might have an impact on the conception of the project.
2. Clarify the proposed functional layout. Explain why certain activities/functions have to placed there, given the spatial constraints / opportunities provided by the Politeama.
Show that there is a rationality in your proposal, a serious attempt to make the most of what the Politeama can offer and can accommodate.
3. Explain how people going to the different areas access the building (a single access?& different accesses?).
Diagrams could be useful at this point.
4. Questioning the “architectural character” of Politeama as is it, dentifying the “sphere of action” for
the project. What of the old building, according to you, must be changed, and why, to achieve what?
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 49
Abstract
The Future of the Como Politeama
THINKING
NEXT
50 FOR THE
L
YEARS
ocated in Como, Italy, Politeama theatre is a historic abandoned theatre. This reconstruction project is aimed to bring it to life and make it attractive as not only an auditorium but also a community center for the local and foreign people who come to this city With the benefit of historical research and with technical expertise it was decided to renew the interior space of the actual building following the program that was given to us, at the same time of increasing the spaces to host more functions that it has at the beginning. This new design that we present follows two main directions: firstly, to evoke the recent tragic history of the building and secondly, to create a renovated space that can easily be adapted to the needs of the auditorium that it serves. On the one hand, we want the aesthetic essence of the building that all the inhabitants know to remain, at the same time that its interior is completely renovated, providing a multitude of different sensations to all the users that visit the project. For that reason, the main faรงades remain as they were designed by Frigerio, with its rhythms and modulations. Likewise, there is a consolidation of the existing structure, of high value as we understand it, on which the new spaces designed according to the functionalities foreseen at the beginning of the study will emerge. On the other hand, outside of the purely aesthetic and functional project aspects, we try to get the new Politeama to regain strength and importance in the society that it once had, making it a benchmark in the city, not only because of its new auditorium function, but also as a meeting point where culture, education and art unite the inhabitants of this. However, we can not forget the thousands of tourists who visit Como and its surroundings, attracted by its incomparable landscapes as well as its unique buildings. Therefore, part of this project also tries to integrate them, creating a greater value even in the local community. Thus, with all these premises of departure, we try to make the best intervention in our opinion in order to satisfy not only the wishes of whoever imposes this new functional program, but also of each person who approaches Politeama and can enjoy their facilities
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R E F E R E N C ES
Enric Miralles
The works of Enric [...] have their own language, personal, expressive, we would even dare to call it spiritual. It is a living, organic architecture, an architecture to feel, not to think.
Few architects have managed to print so much architectural passion and personal emotion in their buildings. The works of Enric Miralles, in spite of the sources in which he clearly draws inspiration (Gaudí, Le Corbusier, Max Bill, Aalto, Gehry ...), have their own language, personal, expressive, we would even dare to call it spiritual. It is a living, organic architecture, an architecture to feel, not to think.
An epistemological approach to the architecture and its integration with the landscape can sublimate us, in the purest romantic sense of the term, or even, it can induce us to a sort of contemplative catharsis, a concept developed by artists of the mid-century. XX who defended the creation of sensory art, receptive and deintellectualized.
Auditorio Nacional de Música
O
Madrid
ne of the references taken for the realization of the project is the National Music Auditorium, located in Madrid.
Although it is true that it has a very different scale and dimension of the surface that the Politeama has, we think it is interesting the position of the scenic space in the center of the room, being able to locate the spectators around it in all directions, creating , therefore, space of representation in 360º
Contemplating a work of Miralles one can get to This is one of the master lines we want to follow, so feel inspired, excited, for this it is not necessary the study of his work has been really important in to understand the structural technique or the the development of the project history of architecture, it is enough to have On the other hand, it also has a rehearsal room, enough sensitivity to be seduced by the attraction which we believe is undoubtedly interesting to add of its forms, the complexity of its volumes or the to our program due to the purpose of the work. harmony of its spaces. In addition, it has two concert halls, symphonic and chamber with different capacities, allowing to hold up to four daily concerts.
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The couch MVRDV
As it can be seen, the purpose of both projects is not even, however we feel an interest in the formal proposal of the study in this project, in which the grandstand takes an organic, if symmetrical, shape, turning the views of the spectators towards one side. The main space is multifunctional, so it can be used for the club’s many events. The roof dips down towards the south side and is raised towards the north up to a height of seven metres, creating an informal tribune for the club. For this reason, not only we referenced on the outside of the building, but also in the interior where there is a difference in heights at roof level, creating different and significant sensations in the users of this.
Fundación Barrié
Emilio Tuñón Arquitectos On the ground floor, a multipurpose space has been designed, capable of being transformed by theater theatrical technology. The two intermediate floors have been equipped with a As it is possible to see in the image, this project programmable bright ceiling. On the fourth floor is starts from a premise similar to ours, transforming the auditorium equipped wit an old building choosing to preserve the facade and renovating its interior h a scenographic mechanism that stores the seats suspended over the room. The chairs are lowered The design of the interiors tries to solve the depending on the capacity of the planned act. functional program giving a contemporary response from criteria of flexibility and versatility In this case, the formal proposal is completely functional. different from the one we have tried to carry out in the Politeama, however, we have been interested in taking this reference due to the different functionalities, not only scenic, that the building handles, besides knowing respond to different architectural issues that arise in the realization of this one The headquarters for the Pedro Barrié de la Maza Foundation is located inside a building designed by the Vigo architect Manuel Gómez Román in 1919.
With the set of these references mentioned we are ready to address the formal and conceptual problems presented by the renovation of the Politeama theater, basing our work on perceptions of works that have a certain similarity in some of its facets with our project, in order to achieve a better and more logical development
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R E F E R E N C ES
Fundaciรณn Giner de los Rios AMID.CERO9
This building appears as a reference due mainly to its auditorium space, which takes an organic form in response to the whole composition of the Foundation. Besides, its simplicity is evident, as well as the material sensibility that it presents in the
central space of representation, as well as the differentiation of the boxes, from which the stage and the framed patio are seen. Also, we think the simplicity with which it solves the functionality is interesting
Working Models
BJARKE INGELS GROUP
Duciund itature erspis exceaquia
We understand manual work in small models as a way to achieve a better formal visualization to achieve the best possible solution. We work in different ways quickly to understand what we do and why. In this way, we can see it as a work strategy that is easy to carry out but broadly effective. We see that the study of models designed manually is, many times, faster and simpler to use and modify than the new digital media, so thanks to this way of working we have better understood how to approach the project.
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Esas Aeropark
TABANLIOĞLU ARCHITECTS Este edificio responde como a una problemática funcional muy distinta a la que se trabaja en este estudio, así como la escala que maneja. Sin embargo, para la adicción de volúmenes lo creemos referente debido a la forma que toma, así como la diferenciación de alturas que muestra.
House in Azeitão AIRES MATEUS
The inspiration taken in this work is purely conceptual as can be understood with the study of it. In a way, the action of Aires Mateus for the rehabilitation and reform of this old building is repeated. While it is true that the emptying of the interior is complete, it is still curious as several volumes, although completely re-angular, are positioned inside, offering a completely renovated character. Likewise, it takes advantage of existing openings to allow natural light to pass through. For this reason, it seems to us a suggestive strategy to carry out in the Politeama project, although in this case with a formal proposal that is perhaps less radical in terms of composition, but more dynamic in the formal aspect.
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FIRST IDEAS - CONCEPTS
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Starting the joint proposal, after the analysis and development of individual ideas, the first ideas for the achievement of the new auditorium with simple sketches on original plans begin to be sketched.
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Once it has ben ordered all the primary ideas that generate the reform project, as well as the study of the program and its functionalities that we intend to include in it, we finally arrive at a general section that shows the compositional intention that tries to organize and accommodate all the required spaces , generating a flow of volumetries that expand and contract, giving greater prominence to the user and the sensations that he perceives once inside the work. POLITEAMA RENOVATION 58
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2nd Step Boards Delivery 23/05/2018
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“Playing with volumes” Once the design decision of following a formal architectural language based on “parasitation” has been ratified, the proposal of different shapes that colonize the current theater comes into play, creating a greater connection between the existing building and the idea of the main stage space.
For this reason, there will be a transition between a first that acts as a guide to the entrance, being able to be separated from another that does not maintain physical relationship with the theater, a volume that will remain “inside and outside” of it, and finally another one that will be the one that hosts the main function of the project, being the most prodominant.
These annexed forms that are located in the wide plot with which Politeama counts, following For this conceptual exercise it had been working several initial premises; The first of that is to have, on physical models with the intention of finding according to the formal proposal, 3 or 4 new the best possible formal solution. volumes.
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GRID COMPOSITION
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LOCATION MODEL
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TRANSVERSAL SECTION ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 75
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GROUND FLOOR
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FIRST FLOOR
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SECOND FLOOR
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SECOND FLOOR_1
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FOURTH FLOOR_1
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ROOFTOP PLAN
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ELEVATIONS
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AUDITORIUM VIEW
CLASSROOM PASARELL VIEW
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SQUARE ENTRANCE VIEW
AUDITORIUM VIEW
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