Piazzetta Capuana Concept Generation

The possible future outcomes of Piazzetta Capuana

After the first phase of the analysis and research of Piazzetta Capuana, conducted to study the territory and also to virtually immerse ourselves in the everyday life of the inhabitants and visitors, we moved on to the most creative phase within a design project: the concept generation.

When generating a concept, the designer’s aim is to make multiple aspects function and interact with each other as a whole idea. First of all, it is necessary for the designer to take into consideration the requests made by the clients and to compare them with the data obtained from the analysis, in order to verify their outcomes actual feasibility. With the creativity and professional analytical thinking, it is necessary for the designer to arrive at the formulation of plausible, aesthetically winning and above all functional solutions.

Therefore, examining the collected data from Piazzetta Capuana and considering the users given feedback, many aspects emerged that needed to be developed and improved. One of them was the lack of benches, seats and shaded areas or other elements of urban furniture that could transform large empty areas into a livable square. Other problems have arisen, such as the scarce presence of commercial and restaurant services, or the lack of visibility of the area from the main roads that condemn the square to be only a passageway. However, alongside negative aspects, positive factors have also emerged that are particularly characterizing and distinguishing Quarto Oggiaro and its people: the desire for redemption, the desire to feel part of a community and the desire for a mutual shared space. All this can take place through an artistic and cultural language. In fact, activities such as music and cinema attract and engage particularly young people, as demonstrated through some films made in the neighborhood like the Fame Chimica by Paolo Vari and Antonio Bocola. It appeared also that street art is an element that strongly characterizes the area. In fact, there are many facades of buildings and dividing walls that over the years have been decorated and livened up with mural art and graffiti. Precisely driven by these more artistic and cultural aspects that distinguish the neighborhood and its citizens, we started to work on to develop two concepts: The Theatrical Square and The Square Arena.

The Theatrical Square

The first vision developed is named as “The Theatrical Square” due to the layout of Piazzetta Capuana, which is open only from one side and surrounded on other three sides by residential buildings. This is reminiscent of the structure of an ancient roman theatre, with its low central stage surrounded by the bleachers which rise gradually. Therefore the main purpose of this concept is to promote art and culture using them as a tool for aggregation and social cohesion within the neighborhood through events, exhibitions and shows. The idea is to create the structures of the stage and the grandstands through simple modular and repeatable elements, which can be specifically built with or created from waste objects, such as pallets or vegetable boxes, giving this project a sustainable and environmental consciousness.

So the square becomes a great stage for events, shows and cultural activities that involve the whole neighborhood. The main activities are the theatrical performances, played both by professionals and children from the associations, the outdoor film festivals or musical events such as small concerts or jam sessions. Secondary activities include public reading events organized by Associazione Errante or food festivals with temporary kiosks and stalls. The last two events could be useful to alleviate the situation of the lack of bars, clubs or refreshment points which are missing from the Piazzetta Capuana.

The layout of the space consists of a central stage with grandstands in front of it, from where one can observe the shows. These two spaces become multifunctional relaxing areas when there are no events happening. Next to the grandstands are two play areas to entertain both the little ones and the bigger ones through tables for ping-pong, also for chess or card games. Instead, in the two areas adjacent to the portico, simple and modular elements are placed, creating a dynamic strip of seats, green areas and small vegetable gardens. Those elements implement the greenery in the square and the associations could take care of them through some workshop courses.

The Square Arena

The second concept developed for Piazzetta Capuana was named as “The Square Arena”, which is also referring to the architecture of the square itself built and partly incorporated by tall buildings. The goal of this concept is to create a place where sports and active lifestyle could be combined with street art, giving life to a dynamic environment that could attract the youngest but also involve at the same time the elderly. Therefore, in an urban space decorated and characterized with mural art, sports activities such as group workouts, yoga and dance lessons are developed and held. Other sporting events include ping-pong, basketball, volleyball or chess tournaments. The secondary activities that could be carried out are the broadcasting of live sporting events and also the food festival to accompany the activities present and at the same time to solve the situation of the lack of bars and clubs in the square.

The layout of the space is therefore structured symmetrically. In the center, above the green area, which is already present in the square, we find a rest area and all around there are various areas for sports activities. Towards the entrance of Via Amoretti is a large area designed to be a free and dynamic space that could adapt current events such as volleyball tournaments or dance lessons. Next to this are two areas with ping-pong and chess tables. Another option is to create a tubular structure near the rest area to practice bodyweight workouts. On the sides of the square is a skateboarding area and opposite to its dedicated area for sitting and greenery to implement the lack of comfortable shaded and unspoiled green areas.

Therefore, even if the two concepts have been developed with different visions — one relating to culture and one to sport — and above all with different styles, where first is more natural and the other one more urban, there are still common points that characterize both these project proposals: the importance of art, the need to involve citizens first hand, to urge to improve the environment and to bring it closer to the culture of the neighborhood.

TEAM #6

Chiara Combi, Francesco Lamperti, Kaarin Pender, Asia Poli, Valeria Rossi