10/03/2023
🏛️ The earthquake memorial project deals with the vision of transforming the park area it is in into a lively public space. The project is reconstructed on a sloping land with a topographic interpretation, a kind of surface that turns into an intermediate layer. From the pedestrian point of view, the building is perceived as a shell formed by the park surface, the irregular volumes under this shell and a mass that sits slightly on it, creating tension. It is an urban monument and exhibition spaces occupy the entire ground floor, while the cafe occupies the first floor. The solid concrete walls of the ground floor take on almost all functions: they support, insulate, protect and define the interior and exterior spaces. The irregular concrete walls also refer to the city's past destruction. It provides different views inside and outside the building by changing the floor plan. It supports the exhibition areas and activity rooms it contains.
The horizontal volume, defined by a concrete grid, has a reflective façade that gives lightness to the entire cover from the outside and is lost in the landscape. This volume becomes a beacon for the park and highlights the presence of the new public space. Along with open and semi-open terraces, the cafe on the first floor creates a public space for socializing and dialogue. Interior finishes are kept to a minimum: basalt stone flooring is used on the floor, while all vertical elements on the upper floor are lightened with reflective painted glass surfaces.
