A group of six young architects under the leadership of Renzo Piano have been hard at work transforming unused spaces within Italy's suburban framework. The team, known as G124, focuses its efforts on injecting life back into overlooked and forgotten areas of its built environment and stimulating the local economy through design. This most recently entailed transforming a long abandoned area under a viaduct in northeast Rome into a bustling cultural hot-spot.
The project, aptly named "Under the Viaduct," uses recycled materials to create an inviting community space. Shipping containers host the area's organized events, providing multiple spaces for workshops for local residents to attend. Additionally, the area is enlivened with creative furniture re-purposed from tires, as well as several art installations made with other found materials. This mentality of reuse makes the space cost effective, but also lends a distinctive character that only comes with using weathered material in new applications.
"Under the Viaduct" is one of various projects in a larger planning scheme envisioned by G124 for community improvement. In an effort to not only design spaces for the public, but also to involve them in the decision-making process, G124's approach works closely with local organizations and public authorities, gaining feedback to better tailor their designs to the community's needs. Next on their agenda is a network of bicycle paths nearby to further encourage community presence there, as well as increase their accessibility to the park.
Watch the video below for a better look at "Under the Viaduct" and to see G124 in action:
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