Outlining Ponticelli 01

[ rediscovering the hidden landscape ] Napoli | ITALY

Outlining Ponticelli is an urban and architectural proposal which main aim is breaking physical and visual barriers using a topographical approach in order to offer inhabitants and citizens a place to interact, share and learn in a unique urban public reality.

The horizontal leveling emphasizes geometrical and constructive features of the project, complementing the site and blending to merge with its surroundings to provide a continuity in the project area that will embrace and guide people not just to the project but to the strip itself, giving primacy to the life practices of the inhabitants of Ponticelli.

The program embrace the “Genius Loci” of the place and the current needs and traditions of people, proposing activities and services to teach, and share solutions for current sustainable challenges. The physical location where topography and architecture exchange existential forms is where the project wants to provide people the possibility to rediscover their place, the hidden landscape away from reality.

The project provides an area with restaurants, cafes, shops, and rental spaces which profits will be used for the economical maintenance of the public spaces. The laboratories for technological innovation in water management and urban orchards cultivation improve inhabitants cultivation techniques and finally, an open air amphitheater, which is reusing the space previously occupied by the church, now will offer the opportunity to perform social gatherings with cultural and spiritual purposes and experiences.

Playing with topography for creation of dynamic shape that connects different points

Continuous Surface that generates softer transition between the Project edges

The social condenser theory stated that “through architecture and the design of public spaces, it can be influenced the way of human behavior in common shared spaces and scenarios, and therefore, the breaking down and perceived social hierarchies that can create socially equitable spaces and bigger and better relationships between inhabitants.”

Lateral

Third Landscape to reproduce the sensation of narrowness on the edges of the project

The proposal considers the existing topography and landscape conditions as the main instrument to convert itself as a social condenser, that takes advantage of diverse landscape elements to generate common spaces.

The project is an adequate setting for the purposes of life of the immediate surroundings, blending with the landscape and offering an unique urban public reality in which the social interactions can happen everywhere [ main visuals

Open Air Amphitheater

The open-air amphitheater proposed is placed reusing the current space occupied by the church, keeping the tower as a landmark. The decision of making a gathering place in the north part of the project area, was made taking in consideration that is an urban attractor that will behave as a social condenser ideal to act as the north gate of the strip. The seating location is placed using the topography proposed under the bridge, adding in the bottom some commercial areas. The materiality used is hard in the main plaza created in front of the scenario, with a small change along the tower axis with bricks as memory of the old infrastructure replaced, that now acts to stand out the new landmark

Innovative Laboratory

The project proposes laboratories for technological innovations in water treatment and urban orchards cultivations placed in the central core of the space, which the main purpose is to create consciousness about the benefits of each one. The central core is supporting the roof, but it is also making the light enter inside, to give light to the space and to the internal orchards.

The enclosure selected for this area is curtain wall that its cleanness and transparency makes possible that the materiality still keeps its continuity even in the inside

Living Water Room

The living water room is proposed for children to develop water management and correct treatment consciousness in an interactive way. Descending levels and creating and underground area where a game of lights and water create an interest experience for the user of the space.

The water playground located on the outside is a way to integrate the youngsters of the surroundings since the water is a natural element that invites to play and is a referent to the ABC water company located on the south part of the site. The materials selected are continuous all along the proposal to give the sensation of flow not just topographical but also reflected on the materiality.

To give some porosity to the proposal there are some green areas located under the roof and some soft areas made of porous concrete from recycled roof tiles giving a more natural environment in the bottom.

Workshops

An open and covered workshop area is proposed to encourage inhabitants to develop abilities and create economical network chains as producers, sellers, and customers of their own local products.

Open and cover workshops areas, independent producers and entrepreneurs research and material exchange spaces are the main areas to highlight from this part of the program.

Some natural topographical movements are introduced in the interiors to create passive recreational areas in which people can relax and enjoy. The materiality selected as mentioned before is still continuous and the slopes are made to be an inclusive proposal for all playing with different topographical levels under the roof.