asymptote architecture: the azzano san paolo complex

the azzano – san paolo complex (detail) by asymptote architecture image courtesy asymptote architecture

new york firm asymptote architecture unveiled their proposal for a new master plan for azzano on april 2010 at the mapic international retail real estate conference in cannes, france. the 100,000-square-meter commercial development is located near the historic city of bergamo – south of orio al serio international airport, in northern italy. the project calls for an intricate complex influenced by the rolling planar aspects of the region’s  countryside.

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the master plan is a meandering, articulated collection of surfaces that seem to have evolved naturally from the adjacent farmlands. the manifestation of the italian rural landscape in built form is a solution to the real and commercial need for mid- to large-scale development projects such as this one. the scheme calls for powerful, new architectural works placed on an urban plinth and pursues a quasi-urban notion of occupancy where the interior and exterior spaces are fluid and transitional from one another. overall, the azzano-san paolo master plan is a sign for the possibility of such developments to be aesthetically compelling and architecturally dynamic. the site is divided into various parts accommodating a planetarium, cinemas, a shopping center, medical facilities, hotels and a few office complexes, in a symbiotic relationship to the surrounding airport, roadways, rural context and already completed developments nearby. open public spaces, amphitheaters and cafés are open to the sky and surroundings.

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

beneath these planar surfaces are urban spaces influenced by the italian tradition of colonnaded public streets which can be found in bergamo.  they promenades, will provide sheltered public sidewalks and a means of defining public streets versus the private realm. a process of humanizing the streetscape of the future.

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the inner courtyard of the the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

the azzano – san paolo complex image courtesy asymptote architecture

project info location: bergamo, italy site area: 110,000 sq.m building area: 253,700 sq.m date: 2008-ongoing client: stilo group, bergamo, italy architect: asymptote architecture