Earthquake Memorial

The 2009 l'Aquila Earthquake remains a tragedy both in terms of deaths but also of the slow pace of reconstruction and investment on behalf of the central Italian government. The proposed Memorial highlights the earthquake and creates a visual space of remembrance for this tragedy through materiality, form and experience. Proposed for the main square of l'Aquila, the site is surrounded by derelict and blocked off roads. These, in turn, are covered in rubble and scaffolding, gated off from the public and continuously policed. The large majority of buildings within the city are inhabitable or only used in parts creating a dwindled population who strive to rebuild the image of l'Aquila. Inspired by the idea of the crack the design appears as a shard of concrete erupting from the ground, with changing textures and materiality to the floor and walls. As one walks through the pavilion, the roughness of the walls increases and gets tighter creating a sense of enclosure and drama but contrasted with the curved green glass casting an ambience reminiscent of the flag of l'Aquila as a symbol of hope.