Re-Build L'Aquila
Oxford Brookes 2012-2013
Post 2009 Earthquake in l'Aquila, a small city north of Rome in the mountains, the city has remained in a terrible state of disrepair with large policed danger zones and a dwindling population of residents. Taking a building on a prominent square within the city centre, the project proposes a social focus for the regeneration. The proposal houses an entertainment program, café, recording studio and radio station allowing the issues of l'Aquila to be broadcast through various media and creative outlets bring the community together back to the city.
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Almost all the architecture of l'Aquila is damaged in some form. As can be seen on the map, the red zones highlight the 'no-go' danger zones that are policed and restricted from access. Many buildings are severely damaged but people still inhabit the spaces they can. The site is located on a main square of the city, on a street corner. Most of the building is derelict except for a café at the ground floor.
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Inspired by ideas of movement, sound and light the building seeks to create an inclusive design that highlights ideals of institutional transparency as well as exaggerating and creating a symbolic connection to the ideas of demolition. The proposed programs are staggered in section so that they are all visible from each other, with a focus on a stage the can rotate and be viewed from all sides. The side elevation is cut through with a glazed line intersecting the plane of the wall and pointing the viewer to the sky in a sign of hope.
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