The design by DRA&U, which is meant to accommodate cultural activities, comes from the study of shells, their real geometry, neither ideal, nor platonic. The x-ray analysis of these slender bodies gave them the ability to perceive the deficiencies, deviations, and a set of slight imperfections due to environmental disturbances during development, which makes them so fascinating. Each shell contains history and a body that evolves with sublime patience, where the beauty, usefulness, functionality and aesthetics are linked to each other, because the amazing beauty lies not only in the outer (what you see usually), but also lurks in intimacy than hidden. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The building is generated by a continuous surface that conforms simultaneously limited space and connectively-distribution space. It is divided in such a way that allows to manage areas separately, among which are performance activities, shows, conventions, museums, sports, theatre and gaming zones. The outdoor area consists of paths, green areas, auditorium, playgrounds for children and an arena for outdoor events. The organic design of the flowerbeds, the walkways and squares must be read as a movement in space, never equal to itself.
The geothermal heart is another strong and important point of the project. The whole system is designed to disperse the minimum content of energy and self-regulating systems that take advantage of passive elements naturally bio-climate so as to minimize having the active contribution of primary energy production systems. In this perspective, optimization of overall efficiency of the system, is part of the further selection of innovative processes that use the low-enthalpy geothermal energy to produce thermal energy for air conditioning (which is not insignificant fraction of the total requirement) and that in turn are well matched with an energy of the generation of electricity from photovoltaics.
This choice has been stimulated by the geomorphological and hydrogeological configuration of the site, the site of productive aquifer where it was made on semi-confined appropriate analysis that would determine the potential environmental and human impact. In this case the low energy geothermal is used in accordance with the principle of aquifer thermal energy storage. All of these strategies helps to further streamline the process rather than using conventional geothermal systems.
Architects: DRA&U Location: Latina, Italy Partner in Charge: Giorgio Pini Architect Team: Simone Luciani, Livia Campana, Flavia Garzia, Simone Coppola, Manlio Leo Collaborator: Yana Ivanova Structural Engineer: Studio di Ingegneria Gilberto Sarti Service Engineering: Proimpianti Environmental Sustainability: Hydroingea Program: Multifunctional Building Model: Modelab Assignment: Competition Status: 2nd prize Client: Province of Latina Project Area: 24000 sqm Project Year: 2010 Images: Courtesy of DRA&U
