Stiamo ricercando laureando/a in architettura per stage di due mesi circa
(giugno/ luglio/ max inizio agosto), non rimborsato, orari flessibili.
Cerchiamo persone motivate, preferibilmente con buone capacità informatiche
(Autocad, Rhino, 3dsMax, pacchetto Adobe, Office) e munite di computer portatile.

Lo stage riguarderà in particolare due progetti architettonici di massima
per edifici ad alte prestazioni di sostenibilità ambientale.

Inviare curriculum, qualche immagine significativa di propri lavori,
ovviamente anche universitari, a:
info[at]gommadesign.com
indicando la disponibilità in relazione al periodo sopra indicato.

Lo studio si trova vicino metro Garbatella.

We are looking for an intern.
Because of the very short advise, this time we are going to consider only local students.

Anyway, if you want to apply for a future internship in our office, send your CV at
info[at]gommadesign.com

During the “Biennale dello Spazio Pubblico” GOMMAdesign will join Officine Libetta for an open workshop to experience a sensorial mapping shared on the net.

La Conquista dello Spazio 2011
Time: Thursday, May 12 · 9:30am – 7:00pm
Location: Parking area – Faculty of Architecture “Roma3″ – Testaccio, Rome

You can participate in two ways:
1) Come and tag the parking area, then post your impressions on the Facebook event page (9:30 to 12:00);
2) On the Facebook event page: after reading the tags and the impressions posted in the morning, post your thoughts, comments, drawings, sketches, photos, music… (12.00 – 17.00).

All this to elaborate an analysis and a project that will direct the future designers. The parking area of the faculty, in fact, is the subject of a transformation process. The students, who experience the parking area every day, will contribute with their own imagination to give identity to this space, with the help of inputs coming from the internet, the new global public space.

Links:
The event on Facebook
Officine Libetta on Facebook

For further info visit http://www.solarexpo.com/

OUR ENTRY: CORAL CITY
“CORAL CITY”, designed in partnership with ITA Project, was chosen among almost 300 entries from all over the world, and awarded with the special ENERGY AWARD (category professionals). You can find the complete list of winners here.

A PREMISE
City as a projection
The form of our cities is nothing more than a projection on the ground of our society (constituted of human activity, values, principles, economy, culture, religion, etc) on one side, and the response to specific geographical conditions (climate, orography, atmospheric agents, etc) on the other side.
In an ultimate analysis, the form of our city is a result of a higher level of interactions between people, and between them and the existing natural environment.
Then, why are our cities often so chaotic, disordered, polluted, dirty, in a few words not sustainable? Maybe because the values and the principles of our society today are not properly sustainable?
This might be an answer.
So, as architects, what can we do in order to design sustainable (and beautiful) cities?
If the form of the city is just a projection on the ground of a society created by human values, is it possible for us to design more livable and eco-friendly cities starting from their form (hence starting from the end of the process just mentioned)?
Is it possible to activate a “backward” process?
Can we change the society and its values with the power of design?
Our proposal wants to prove that architecture and urban planning can design sustainable cities only if they start from different and more responsible values.
A conscientious development is the main challenge of our generation, the only way to achieve a sustainable world.

THE CONCEPT
Architecture as a metaphor
We think that architecture is a metaphor of nature.
Looking from this perspective, our “role model” has to be found in the natural environment, which contains an infinite number of complex living structures.
Natural structures, better than any human achievement, can help us find a way to design a new sustainable community.
For this reason, our conceptual mainframe for the DAtE competition was the study of “corals”, which can be easily compared to our cities (because they have to satisfy similar requirements).

Coral is the formal and behavioral inspiration for our design, a self-organizing living system which is highly capable of reacting and smoothly adapting to changes and external influences.
Corals are marine organisms in class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual “polyps”. (Wikipedia)

A Voronoi tessellation diagram, which smartly adapts to the geometry of the lot, proliferates throughout the area and subdivides it into optimal cells.
Coral colonies form the physical structure of the coral reefs that develop in tropical and subtropical waters. (Wikipedia)

Individual buildings consist of clusters of modular living units (similar to each other but at the same time subtly varied to adapt to local conditions) which coherently work as a whole.
A coral “head,” which appears to be a single organism, is a colony of myriad genetically identical polyps. (Wikipedia)

Buildings have a proper ring-like shape which allows optimal structural performances in relation to stresses caused by earthquakes and typhoons.
Coral reefs are also useful as a protection against hurricanes and other extreme weather. (Wikipedia)

Cells are permeable and perforated. This minimizes the opposition of buildings to strong winds and allows them to pass through and flow away from the inner courtyards.
Corals can be perforated and have porous skeletons. (Wikipedia)

Precipitations are collected and drained out through an interconnected system of canals, in order to minimize the effects of heavy rains and flood.
The polyps interconnect by a complex and well developed system of gastrovascular canals allowing significant sharing of nutrients and symbiotes. (Wikipedia)

Buildings and main distribution paths are detached from the ground, on piles, in order to still offer a safe and enjoyable environment in case of massive flooding.
Perforated corals allow water to flow through them. (Wikipedia)

Roofs and parking areas are massively covered with pv panels, which assimilate solar energy and offer a sustainable and eco-compatible way to self-finance the construction process.
Most corals require sunlight and obtain the majority of their energy and nutrients from photosynthetic unicellular algae called zooxanthellae. (Wikipedia)

A GREEN MASTERPLAN
In our zoning 50% of the total available area will be green.
There will be parks inside the development and green courtyards inside the buildings.
Cars will have no access inside the development (except for emergency purposes), they will be parked in dedicated areas along the external perimeter. From there, circulations will be assured by electric buses, bicycles, pedestrian paths etc.
This way, pollution will be dramatically reduced.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
The project master plan aims to guarantee and stimulate social relations between tenants in different layers.
Inner courtyards = First level of socialization
In these areas, people living in the same building will be able to gather. Small social activities can be promoted, increasing the outdoor action of the kids as of the other age’s people. The inner courtyards are dedicated to the socialization of people who share the same building, assuring a certain level of security and privacy. They are not accessible by unauthorized people.
Parks/streets = Second level of socialization
A big percentage of areas are dedicated to open green parks, accessible by people who live in the neighborhood but also by people from other parts of the city. A landscape design will make these areas very enjoyable, with a not polluted air due to the absence of cars. The internal streets (between the different buildings) are intentionally designed quite narrow to promote physical relations between people. Small indoor and outdoor markets, “sari-sari” stores, shops, a pharmacy, banks, restaurants, will face the streets creating a vivid and lively atmosphere. This vibrant ambient is a main theme of our approach, we learned it from the Filipino Barangay, where life is lived most of the time outdoors. This “easy-way” of living will improve spontaneous public relations and will create a vivid micro economy due to the domestic consumption.
Public buildings = third level of socialization
Structures like school, church, city hall etc, represent more elaborate socialization areas.All the activities related to the organization of the town, will take place inside these buildings.
The design of these structures is purposely “user friendly”, to welcome the citizen. In a familiar environment, the users will feel part of a community and for this reason they will actively participate in the organization of their town. A good integration between different people is a warranty to achieve a safe, clean and well maintained community.

STEEL STRUCTURE
Steel is a green material because its production has a lower impact on the environment (compared to other construction materials), and also because it’s easy to recycle and dismantle.
It is also affordable in terms of price, easy to assemble, light, easy to move and optimal for a clean and accurate onsite construction.
In addition to that, its good structural performances under different solicitations and its capability to be used and combined with other kinds of materials (like wood, concrete, glass etc) make steel our ultimate choice for structural purposes.

PANELLING
For external and internal walls prefabricated panels, produced using recycled and local materials, will be used. There are good products available already on the market, with a reasonable price and very high performances (thermal and acoustic insulation capacity, reduced weight, easy installation, etc).

CLADDING
Both residential and public buildings will have facades partially covered with Bamboo.
This material is natural, local, cheap, largely used in rural construction in the Philippines and hence very familiar to the Filipinos.
We used bamboo to create shades, to filter air and increase ventilation through the buildings. We used it also to characterize the public buildings (the city hall, the church etc).
Bamboo is the right choice to create an affordable, natural and elegant architectural environment.

AIR COOLING and SHADING COOLING SYSTEM
The green inner courtyards, together with big holes opened through the building masses and facades (gaps between some units), will increase the natural ventilation. In addition, cross ventilation in every unit will increase air velocity to reduce inner temperature.
Shaded surfaces (with extensive roof tops and shelters) will dramatically reduce direct sun radiations.
During the hottest hours of the day, the sun never hits directly glazed surfaces (for internal temperature decrease). These 2 strategies will ensure a 30% decrease of energy consumption compared to the standards.

WATER MANAGEMENT and WASTE MANAGEMENT
An interconnected system of canals is created in order to minimize the effects of heavy rains or floods. This drainage system, in an average situation (with no natural calamities) will also optimize water resource management. The water will be accumulated in the “water management facility”, where it will be treated and re-injected into the buildings for domestic and public use.
A similar procedure is going to be used for waste management. Garbage segregation will be facilitated in order to collect and deliver it to the “waste management facility”. This facility will relocate the different materials to main public “waste collecting buildings” where garbage, already divided, will be properly reconverted.

PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
Roofs and parking areas are massively covered with pv panels.
About 1.600 sq/m of pv panels will produce power which will be sold to the grid, generating this way an impressive stream of revenues. This approach will at first reduce the production of Co2 and then offer a sustainable and eco-friendly way to self-finance the construction phase.
The entire development could be assimilated to a “solar power plant”. This concept can be easily replicated to develop new “power towns”, completely self-sufficient under both energetic and financial point of view.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS
Knowing that the “financial sustainability” of a “public housing plan” is a unavoidable aspect, the economic profitability of the entire project has been the platform to our design proposal.
The parking solar farm
The implementation of Coral City will start with the realization of a “parking solar farm” with a capacity of around 3200 kw/hour/day, which will generate a gross profit of 1,600,000.00 pesos/month. These revenues will be used partially to finance the “site development” works. After this phase will be completed, the construction of the residential buildings will start.
The building solar farm
The second phase will be the construction of the building structure up to the roof and the installation of the “building roof panels”. This way, every building will produce energy that will be sold to the grid (taking advantages from the Fed in Tariff).
A portion of the revenues generated by this process will finance the construction of public areas. This way, the site development and the public buildings construction will be completely paid by this stream of revenues.
This approach will produce multiple economic benefits like:
- The production of renewable energy will finance substantially the site development works and the construction of public facilities.
- Final prices of units could be maintained extremely low.
- Production of renewable energy will help to satisfy the demand of energy (which in the Philippines is very high at the moment).
- Another stream of revenues is represented by the “carbon credits“.
- International organizations like ADB or The World Bank are financing construction of solar farms.
- A dramatic reduction of pollution will be achieved, with innumerable benefits for the entire community and, if the model will be replicated, the country could proudly become the ASIAN leader in the new “green energy revolution”.

IMPLEMENTATION
The overall site development will be implemented in the 6 general phases, as follows:

Phase 1 – development of site parking lots, building yard organization works and parking solar farm installation

Phase 2 – primary site preparation works

Phase 3 – initial construction of buildings A-B-C: bearing structures, roofing and PV panel installations

Phase 4 – initial construction of buildings D-E: bearing structures, roofing and PV panel installations; completion of buildings A-B-C


Phase 5 – initial construction of buildings F-G: bearing structures, roofing and PV panel installations; completion of buildings D-E

Phase 6 – completion of buildings F-G; completion of community services buildings

FINANCIAL VIABILITY
The project is expected to generate revenues mainly from the sale of the housing units and sale of energy. Over a 7-year period, expected revenues will total to P 944.6 Million (US$ 21.97 M, at P43 = $1 FX rate), while direct costs will total to PHP 700.4 Million (US$ 16.3 M) leaving a gross income of PHP 244.2 Million (US$ 5.7 M).
The continuing revenue stream from the sale of power is expected to be sustained in 20 years, or more. With an average income of P 40 Million (US$ 93,000) per year, the solar farm facilities will potentially generate additional revenues of PHP 520 Million (US$ 12M) by the end of 20 years.
This simply proves that the project is truly a self-sustaining community.

_
PROJECT INFO
TITLE: Coral City
TYPE: competition
SIZE: 3 ha
LOCATION: Taguig – Metro Manila, Philippines
YEAR: 2010
STATUS: Energy Award
_
CREDITS
GOMMAdesign + ITA Project
DESIGN TEAM: Francesco Bagni, Vittorio Menna, Gabriele Settimelli, Francesco De Luca, Paolo Gori, Romolo Nati, Valentina Murgia, Matteo Parigiani
COLLABORATORS: Chiara Giunta, Ilaria Merola

OUR ENTRY: FOLDSC(R)APE
GOMMAdesign’s conceptual skyscraper for eVolo 2011 competition explores the geometrical results of applying the “Oblique Function” to the verticalization of the city. The most important challenge of the project was to avoid losing, during this process, the most peculiar aspect of Rome’s urban life system: the vivid community life and the town-like neighborhoods.

SETTING THE RULES: GENOME

To design a skyscraper for such a peculiar city like Rome is a very challenging and fascinating task, as it gives the chance to investigate the most innovative and unconventional possibilities for this kind of building. Rome, because of its huge historical heritage, never really considered a vertical development. On one hand, in new neighborhoods, speculative urbanization led to the
million cubic meters of low quality buildings without an efficient planning of services and public spaces. On the other hand, in historical and central neighborhoods, the quality of life is instead very high and animated by a vivid social community. By examining some example of urban fabrics in Rome, we derived the main parameters which led our design strategy and influenced the morphology of our system.
The project is located on a disused lot in the former Fair Area. Our proposal aims to provide an exaggerated amount of available square meters, while ideally preserving at the same time the neighbourhood-lifestyle basic features: the solution of this contrast was our conceptual challenge.

Starting from Claude Parent and Paul Virilio’s speeches, we propose a territorial formation based on the “Oblique Function”. The variation of horizontality of the ground plane facilitates less regular movements of the users and multiplies the opportunities for meeting and socialization. The practical strategy we identified and applied consists in making a two-dimensional surface threedimensional, in order to achieve continuous interconnections between different levels, and to turn the flat functional mix (distributed on the original surface) into a three-dimensional complex space, where functions may re-colonize the most suitable areas with a certain degree of adaptability of spaces and routes.

MORPHOGENETICAL PROCESS

The morphogenetical process which generates the building is recursive. The geometrical operations defined in the system are applied iteratively, first to the whole building, then to each single strip that constitutes the structural and morphological fabric of the tower. Indeed, the tower has the same morphology and the same geometry of its base components. The whole building and the single folded plate act and look the same, they are self-similar, as they share the same five operations defined to generate the morphology of the system.

Theoretically this iterative process could also be extended to higher dimensions (buildings’ aggregations) or to lower ones (architectural components, such as brise soleil or structural elements).

GENOMIC SEQUENCE

Five topological operation (defined in the “genome” of the architectural organism) are applied to the system. They occur in different combinations and with different intensities, generating a series of phenotypes influenced by the different conditions which the system adapts to.

GENE A – Folding
Flat surfaces are tessellated and subdivided into strips. Then strips are folded. From a flat landscape to a diagonal one. More complexity, more opportunities.

GENE B – De-phasing
Profile curves are de-phased. We go from slopes to a double-curved landscape. More complexity, more connections, more fun.

GENE C – Smoothing
The curve degree switches from 1 to 3. Even more continuity between all the surfaces involved. Everything is curved. 1-2-3 times, and counting.

GENE D – Warping
Folded strips are deformed, their profile curves change their wavelenght. Somewhere they fold one more time, somewhere else they unfold. Holes in the fabric open up: squares, programs, voids, public spaces.

GENE E – Pulling
Vertexes are locally pulled out. New surfaces are created, more areas for additional programs. And connections between the folds are achieved.

MORPHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES

These topological and geometrical strategies are used in order to address specific functional needs:

SLOPE
The base surface is first divided into smaller platforms, then folded to achieve inclination. We obtain a diagonal continuous space. This tilting (25°) also allows a 10% increment of the available area, while keeping the same footprint.

RESIDENTIAL UNITS
Through a process of folding, the surface becomes a threedimensional fabric. The basic units that constitute this honeycomb structure are the residential units, regularly distributed on the base surface.

GREEN + PUBLIC AREAS
By adding topic distortions to the regular fabric, we differentiate it and we open up larger spaces: Public Spaces and Green Areas.

CONTINUOUS ACCESSIBILITY
Leaning terraces and diagonal paths, which run on our threedimensionally folded structure, allow a continuous accessibility all over the building. All the cells are interconnected and all the spaces are fully accessible and interrelated with each other.

STRUCTURAL SCHEMES

PROJECT INFO
TITLE: Foldsc(r)ape
TYPE: skyscraper
LOCATION: former Fair Area – Rome, Italy
YEAR: 2011
STATUS: competition entry

CREDITS
GOMMAdesign
DESIGN TEAM: Francesco Bagni, Vittorio Menna, Gabriele Settimelli

For further infos visit http://www.globalservicejam.org/

This is the complete list of winners:

Category 1: Professional
• First Place: Arch. Johanna Ferrer Guldager (Denmark) – Entry# 187
• Second Place: Arch. Samuel John Williams (England) – Entry# 178
Special Awards:
• Energy Award: Arch. Romolo Nati (Italy) – Entry# 111
• Green Design: Arch. Vasanth Packirisamy (India) – Entry# 223

Category 2: Student/Graduate
• First Place: Dao Thanh Hai (Vietnam) – Entry# 171
• Second Place: Martin Schorn (Austria) – Entry# 101
Special Awards:
• Energy Award: Karen Michelle Gill (USA) – Entry# 238
• Green Design: Stefan Borisov Vankov (Germany) – Entry# 127

(source: http://www.designagainsttheelements.org/date-2011-winners/)

…we’ll post more details asap!

Stay tuned!!!

Following an in-office information session on plank lines geometry, we focused on the possibility to describe a whatever complex surface taking advantage of the planar characteristics of plank lines.

The goal of this short project was to define a simple process in order to make it possible to build a simple software defined surface using as building material only rectangular planar stripes.

We used Grasshopper to draw random plank lines on the selected surface, then we related each intersection point to a unique number and we unrolled the stripes as rectangular planar stripes, with every intersection marked with a number (in this way we had a ‘map’ of the intersections that each stripe would have had with the other stripes: thus we had uniquely named joints, easier to connect).

A little of real-world processes to make the stripes connectable and a hinge joint detail (bolts and screws), plus a little patience in finding the corresponding numbers, and the shape is done!

Hence we started looking at the beautiful structures created by recursive branching systems (such as our pine tree), while in parallel we analyzed different methods to achieve optimal packings of solids in space, like in foams and crystals.
In order to manage the complexity of our proposal and explore different possibilities for our entry, we decided to take advantage of the great capabilities of the 3d parametric modeler “Grasshopper” for Rhinoceros3d (http://www.grasshopper3d.com/).

So we created in Grasshopper a node-based parametric model of a modular branching system, through which we were able to explore and evaluate different configurations and aggregations, and verify in parallel very quickly the modularity and the assemblability of our components.

We focused our attention on a shape which optimally packs in two dimensions, the hexagon, and, through exploring its internal geometry and the relations between its parts, we derived all the other rules which would have controlled the geometrical behavior and the shape of all the other elements of the branching system in three dimensions.

We studied different ways the single modules could aggregate and proliferate, paying attention to eventual structural and geometrical issues at joints, where several branches met. Our aim was to obtain a continuous tridimensional structure, in which all the pinetrees work as a whole interconnected canopy and could resist to winds and accidental forces in an optimal way.

All this was possible because every component was designed to be completely parametric, so we were able to change and verify instantaneously every strategy and every parameter variation, i.e. the initial shape of the “cell”, the angle in space of the branches, the lenghts and the diameters of all the structural elements, their aggregation (in order to optimize both geometrical and structural issues) and the shape and the inclination of the solar panels which represented the “leaves” of our trees.

In particular, regarding the solar panels, the parametric model gave us the capability to optimize the panels’ shape and their areas, and at the same time avoid unexpected shadows in order to maximize the energy production.

(for more info and images about our proposal you can read this post)

Local inhabitants were called to participate to a night of public space ‘invasion’ where, toghether with the help of a number of teams of urban creatives, photographers, urban writers, guerrilla gardeners, they would have practiced actions in order to re-gain their own public space from parked cars and to re-experience community spaces privatized by local nightclubs.

Our communication project wanted to highlight the almost personal call to action that the event organizers were proposing to the locals. In order to make this call really ‘personal’, and in order to activate a surprise from the everyday environment, we took advantage of a ‘repetition strategy’ of such a usual object: the doorbell.

Concept
The neighborhood’s name “Pigneto” comes from the presence of a long row of Maritime Pine trees, planted by the Caballini family along the wall of the eighteenth-century “villa Serventi”.
In order to recall that image deeply carved in Pigneto’s historical memory and toponymy and integrate the project with continuity in the neighborhood’s imaginary, the “Maritime Pine tree” was chosen as the formal and structural inspiration for the proposal, considering also that nature can provide the best inspirational role-models for energetically and socially sustainable design solutions. Once identified the symbol around which people could aggregate, the main strategy was to promote the strengths and the most valuable features of the neighborhood.
The cozy and intimate ambience of Pigneto, which looks more like a little village, rather than a piece of Roman suburbs, facilitates a sense of conviviality and sociality which is still one of the main trait of social life there. For this reason, the square proposed here defines an intimate space, and takes inspiration from the image of a “yard” more than from the typology of “urban square”. The necessary safety barriers, on the edges of the square which overlook onto the railway, become the walls of this “urban room” and, although being visually permeable, suggest a more intimate use of the space.
The sensibility for a sustainable life-style appears in neighborhood’s daily activities: the widespread use of bicycles as means of transportation; the small-scale entrepreneurship naturally oriented toward efficiency, reuse and sustainability; the variety of events organized to spread the knowledge about these topics.
The most iconic elements of the project, the photovoltaic Pinetrees, catch this vibe and are built with simple and reused materials that can be largely found in the surrounding urban landscape: pylons along the railroad, lampposts, poles and even bicycles, share the same cylindrical shape and metallic material. A mere mimesis through materials is clearly not enough, hence the goal was to create a new “simple complexity” obtained by rearranging the elements identified so far, combining, with a few basic assembly techniques, modular elements made of a few parts that are always the same. The aim was to witness the sensibility for an environmentally-sustainable lifestyle that pervades the area.
In addition, the “leaves” of the photovoltaic trees, designed not to hinder each other from the sunlight, add a functional layer more than a merely symbolic one, as they provide a large surface of photovoltaic panels, that could supply energy for the lighting of the square. At the same time they offer the sun-shading necessary to fully enjoy the square.
The lighting effect is the most visible expression of this simple-complex organization of the elements and gives to the square a mesmerizing new aspect in the night time: the unique atmosphere and the catchy visual effect is intended to become a landmark and the iconic focus of the crowded nightlife of the district, while at the same time ensuring the necessary illumination for the square to be safe and enjoyable.

The Pinetrees
Six trees: project’s roof and foundations

In the mood for reuse and recycle which inspires the whole project, the structural elements which constitute the trunk and the branches of the pinetrees are made of tubular galvanized-steel pipes, normally used in railroad’s pylons. They hide and contain wires and electrical parts, while at the same time serving as supporting elements for the branches+leaves system and for the slabs which compose the square (structurally beared by cantilevers attached to the trees’ trunks).

The “leaves” accomplish 3 functions:
- Collect solar energy (with photovoltaic panels)
- Illuminate the square in the nighttime (with rgb Leds mounted on panels made of metallic mesh)
- Provide sun-shading during the daytime.

The Square-Yard
Turning a crossing point into a place to stay and socialize, a “public yard” for the neighborhood

The square-yard was designed to promote a spontaneous, relaxed and informal sociality. The brick structure and the cobblestone paving of the existing bridge have been preserved, while its tufa and travertine parapets were cut to allow an easy transversal crossing.
The slabs, added on the sides of the bridge in order to create the square, are supported by
cantilevers attached to pillars (the trees’ trunks) and anchored to the bridge and to the railroad’s slopes. The new paving is made of basalt, the same material as the paving of the existing bridge, to give visual continuity and sensorial homogeneity to the square.
Furnitures are made of metallic meshes (vertical supporting panels) and galvanized-steel sheets (horizontal top plates). Varying their height while keeping a visual coherence and connection, that objects accomplish two different functions: they serve as benches to sit and stay and as walls with “analogically” variable transparency. In particular, these walls offer to the users who walk across the square always new and unexpected perspectives, transparencies, openings, overlaps and moiré-effects. In addition these walls offer an alternative surface to the walls of the houses in Via del Pigneto for spontaneous posts and graffitis and for official promo materials for exhibitions, events or institutional communications. The same materials and the same effects are also used in the perimetric fences: metallic meshes for the vertical elements and galvanized-steel sheets on the top.

Sustainability
An icon for the neighborhood, a witness for renewable energies
With an area of 600 square meters of photovoltaic panels, oriented southward, the project has a complete energetical self-sufficiency for the largest part of the year. The photovoltaic panels’ layout (an hexagonal grid), their orientation (southward), their tilt angle (30 degrees) and their shape are designed and optimized to use as much as possible the available surface and to ensure that no solar panel receives shade from adjacent panels.

Lighting
PV-powered LEDs
The square is illuminated diffusely by LEDs applied to the metallic mesh panels which compose, together with solar panels, the treetops.
More specifically, the mesh panels mount two rows of LEDs, one facing down (for the direct illumination of the square), and one pointing up. In the latter case, the shielding on the back of the solar panels placed at a higher altitude catch and reflect the LEDs’ light output diffusely.

In particular, as “RGB” LEDs are used, the light output can be varied both in intensity and color, hence different configurations (fixed or changing over time) can be achieved.

The strong visual effect that you get with this lighting system is a “crown” of light, which strongly characterizes the project, and turns it into an iconographic and visual landmark for the whole neighborhood.

In addition to the lighting system mounted on the treetops, any furniture (benches, partitions, perimetric fences) mounts, below the top plate, LED light fixtures directed downward, which provide a diffuse lighting that at the same time accent the geometries of the project.

Fast and green mobility: Bicycles
A side of the square is reserved for a three-meters-wide bike path with an adjacent bicycle parking area, so that the new square could also become the start and the end point of possible routes and an exchange node between pedestrian and bicycle mobility systems.
The bike path is placed on the side in order to avoid pedestrian crossings and assure this way the best functioning of the square. Its paving is made of concrete with blue pigment granules, in order to mark its different function and recall the color of the sky reflected by the metal elements of the square.
With the aim to promote bicycles as non-polluting and socially healthy means of transport, the project proposes to prohibit motor vehicles from crossing the square, as they can easily take advantage of the existing closest driveways.

Future covering of the railroad’s ditch: the Green Linear Park
The vision of a future covering of the railroad’s ditch that this project suggests allows the creation of a large Green Linear Park which, at the most relevant points for pedestrian crossing, will feature “photovoltaic” squares, similar to the one proposed here.

PROJECT INFO
TITLE: PINI@PIGNETO
TYPE: public square
LOCATION: Pigneto – Rome, Italy
YEAR: 2010
STATUS: competition entry

CREDITS
GOMMAdesign
DESIGN TEAM: Francesco Bagni, Vittorio Menna, Gabriele Settimelli