Studio Genta Architetture
© by Studio Genta Architetture
Viale Venezia 2f, Pavia
ABSTRACT
Caserma Mameli, an old Italian barrack, going to be a vital part of the city as a performance art university close to Bicocca University and The Train Station connecting the site to Italian Railway network. The existing U-shape buildings, the wooden structure of their roof, trees, the existing wall that makes a closure from all sides, some pavements, and the system of courtyards are the significant characteristics of this site. As it has been a military site, the closure has always been part of its memory. The Caserma is globally well connected through public transportation facilities: metro, tram, buses, and trains. The center of Milan is easily accessible from Caserma Mameli, where Teatro-alla-scala is on its way. However most of the theatres of Milan are almost in the central parts of it, but there are theatres close to this Caserma. Such as Archimboldi Theatre a great modern theatre for performance art. The city of Milan could benefit by dedicating this area to performance art university. The academic background in the area and the performance art theatres could be satisfying reasons for establishing a performance art university. The site has a lot of dynamic open spaces and potentialities that could make a significant university in this field. In addition, being on the side of a regenerated factory (Manifattura Tabacchi) to a Cinema Center and Museum could be an interesting point for this kind of function. The urban analysis shows that the most accessible side of the site is its east side and more important is the North-East corner. The U-shape buildings are closer to the south, and the northern part of the site has more free spaces. There are existing trees on the western part of the site that could provide a buffer from the residentials on that side. Morphologically, the area seems unorganized, but the system of open spaces and court yards makes it readable. Urban masses orient in a way that they provide quality open spaces (or voids) among. This territorial characteristic exists even inside the Caserma. From this paradigm the whole area is coherent. The design follows coherency where it is necessary. According to the mentioned analysis, The East edge would be dedicated to an entrance landscape corridor that brings readability to the area where there are many functions and orientations. The use of contrast in height, the direction of greenery and, the relativity of functions were the main features to make the design user-friendly. The Theatre halls located on the north and northeast where on the back is the location of parking. the residentials are formed coherently with surrounding residentials on the northwest area. The open spaces and U shape buildings contain the major spirit and functions of Performance art university. The open spaces are various and connected through architectures or open corridors. The concept of a modern university as an open and freely accessible is in contrast with the existing wall and closure. Therefore the current wall stays where it is not necessary to be removed.
