Conceived to aid in the cohesion between people, Salotto Urbano is a public area designed by architects Michela Romano, Emanuela Ortolani, Federica Spinaci, Eleonora Sanfilippo, and David Vecchi. The project aims to be a pleasant place to support the social interactions, working as a structure for several activities and events. It is a space where people can freely operate and get back the participation of common good. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The proposal includes three main actions and each one is developed with the aim to reinforce the natural site peculiarity:
-The square system arranged in detached functional areas planned in accordance with existing greenery and devised in polyvalent way.
-The insertion of “Social trees” in correspondence of functional areas previously recognised, excluded the north square area designed for events during holydays, for example the Sunday market. This part, during working days, is characterized by water gushes to commemorate the “Ninfeo” memory, the architecture inside neighbouring “Villa Doria Pamphili”
-The pool hall requalification, through the use of the portal in front of main building. The structure, represent, an iconic way to the square, as well as, optically, mark a fast track crosswalk direction of itself.
The square design is planned based on two different purposes. The first one is social and aspires to produce activity, the second one has environmental reason directed to external bioclimatic upgrade. Moreover, the “Social trees” are imagined as slight systems energetically self-sufficient. Each element is composed by perimetral structures with a second structure hooked into. It is formed by metal grid that support American grapevine (Partenocissus quinquefolia): a falling leaf climbing plant, easy to cultivate and characterized by the different look depending on the season. The use of this kind of vegetation lends to the structures an aesthetic aspect always variable.
The photovoltaic panels, concealed above the highest part of metal partition, supply electrical energy for square lighting system. During the sunset time, the areas subjected to vandalism as the pool hall or the area designed for children pastime will be closed with shutters. All the other accessible areas are made secure through the use of suitable led lightings system to guarantee the area accessibility.
Architects: Michela Romano, Emanuela Ortolani, Federica Spinaci, Eleonora Sanfilippo, David Vecchi
Location: Carlo Forlanini Square, Italy
Collaborator: Simona Fazio
Client: Officina06, XVI Municipio Roma
Year: 2012
