Developed for an international planning and architectural competition, this proposed masterplan for the Città della Scienza by Vincent Callebaut Architectures fuses sustainability with history to propose a self-sufficient urban ecosystem in Italy. Operating on the principle of living facades, the Città della Scienza revitalizes the forgotten military district into a vibrant, continually regenerating living city.
Read on after the break for a closer look at the plan.
Taking direction from the remaining aspects of the military district, the urban ecosystem grows from the existing infrastructure, nodding to the site’s past while making it livable for today’s occupants. The empty shells of its industrial history are fitted with updated amenities, transforming the buildings into diverse lofts. Similarly, the existing paths are made into a usable network through the insertion of public areas organized on a grid, systematizing the layout of the entire site.
In order to maintain a balance of public and private spaces, the city compartmentalizes its functions. Although both the residential and commercial activities define the perimeter of the site, the residences maintain their intimacy by their distance from the commercial activities, occupying opposing sides and sitting back from the main street for ensured privacy. Each of the buildings explores the notion of public-private through the rooftop orchards, which provide an element of seclusion even within the public spaces.
The extensive use of trees throughout the rooftops and balconies not only beautifies the district, but aids in its self-sufficiency. These communal gardens provide residents with self-renewing sources of food, helping to locally produce the city’s necessities. Additionally, these orchards provide extraordinary environmental benefits, including CO2 filtration and harmful particulate removal, for a healthier atmosphere.
Sustainable practices are further pursued through both passive strategies and technology. Simple moves, such as natural daylighting and a rainwater retention and recycling system, have significant impacts on preserving resources. Other sustainable strides are made through photovoltaic electricity production, a hybridized lighting system with integrated wind turbines, and hot water production through solar tubes.
Additionally, the urban ecosystem is pedestrian-oriented, placing its functions within walking distance of each other for ease of access. All cars are kept outside the living space to mitigate the harmful emissions, providing underground car parks beneath the city.
Architects: Vincent Callebaut Architectures
Local Architects: studio di architettura e urbanistica + Studio d’Architettura Briguglio Morales, Roma
Supervisor: Prof. Ing. Paolo Colarossi, Roma Capitale
Type: International Master Planning & Architectural Competition
Budget: 270 Million Euros
Area: 86000.0 sqm
Year: 2015
Photographs: Courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architecture
Vincent Callebaut Masterplan Predicts Future of Self-Sustaining Cities originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 21 Mar 2015.
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