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Mare Meva 48 Mare Meva 48 consists on a three level architectonic complex above the waters of Port Vell. In order to create an extension of the city ground and different spatiality, we distributed the program into two main plains: 2.64 meters above the Moll of Darsena, open-air dynamism is more likely to take place, whilst the lower floor, supported at 20 centimeters above sea level, hosts areas of more enclosed and covered activities. The building is designed to provide the visitors an important chance of being endowed with the water. Mare Meva! – an expression of gratitude to the privilege of water – drives the project. An acknowledgement of the wide range of opportunities to embrace and, somehow, merge with it. This design brings users closer to the poetics of such lively fluid, providing generous spaces where both fresh and salty bodies of water co-exist and co-habit on the lead figure. The built environment consists of two main floors and a transitional open area, which hosts the first floating pool. Filled with fresh water and connected to both the upper and lower floors by a system of cascades and rivers, this intermediary pool floats 2.5 meters above sea level. Views to both the port and the sea praise it and represent the main character of this level. The glass-made walls and the cascades enhance the idea of lightening the materiality of the pool, since the water is a stronger connection to the “ground” than the pillars themselves. The attached ramp leads the visitor down to the sea level floor and the salty water-floating pool area. This 50 x 25 meters swimming pool comprises a permeable tank, which allows the seawater, exclusively to pass through its walls, offering the visitor the possibility of a safe immersion and connection with nature, consisting on an important set of experiences for people. The central atrium associates the two main floors, allowing the sunlight to reach the innermost spaces of the lower level and granting the user a promenade over an organic-shaped ramp that outlines the big waterfall. There one can sense the enchantment of the touch and sound of water, crossing a great void above an expressive body of water, which articulates the spaces of the sea level floor. Having reached the lower floor, people can easily move to the locker rooms and then, eventually to the thermal pool. The lower floor presents multiple choices of uses among the spaces formed due to the location of the L shaped pillars, filled with dynamism. Despite the life that takes place on the floor, one can find various locations for more introspective attitude, in which the sound of the water plays a big role. This project seeks to capture the numerous essences of the water and the opportunities it represents to the human experience. The plan plays with different sets of mood among the rooms and levels. While in the upper floor, the sun is evident, wide exposed, natural light penetrates the lower rooms in more subtle ways, making use of the powerful contrasts and frame windows. Sitting in the dark, hearing a small cascade noise far away, being inside a hot fresh water-pool, knowing there are rivers of salty water flowing above is a peaceful sea level experience. On the other hand, among children playing in the wet playgrounds and groups of friends chilling by the reflecting pools, the upper floor has itself some contemplative areas, which allow the visitor to benefit from the ocean breeze and panoramic views towards both the sea and the city. Differently from the lower flow and the air-floating pool, which are supposed to close by night, the upper floor, as an actual extension of the square of the Port Authority, is open to the public at night, adding a special character to the landscape, marked by an eventful life even after sunset. One important feature of this project is the concern with people with disabilities. This project brings to the table the desire of universal access to all facilities and experiences, valuing the extremely positive effects the water performs in improving human wellness. The circulation through the multiple ramps, apart from creating an important visual impact and promoting vertical organicity by evoking the fluid properties of the water, is one of the most expressive outcomes of this desire. From both the fountains reflecting pools, small rivers circulate around the floor. The fresh water river drops through the slab down to the contemplative space of the thermal waters, while the other two salty water flows end up over the sea-flovating pool. This dynamism reinforces the didactic potential of water, which is here much intensively considered. An interesting feature of this design is the sea life-inspired pieces of urban furniture. Jellyfish benches, seahorse and lantern fish lighting equipment spread around the floors and confer a playful character to the spaces nearby.
B
B
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
B 0
UPPER FLOOR PLAN
B
10
20
50
B 0
10
20
50
0
INTERMEDIATE FLOOR PLAN
ALL THREE FLOORS
INTERMEDIATE AND LOWER FLOORS
LOWER FLOOR
20
50
LOWER FLOOR PLAN
CROSS SECTION AA
CROSS SECTION BB
10
0
0
05
05
10
10
25
25