italian architects, LAD and hypnos studio, have collaborated to design ‘sovraparco’ – a proposal for a suspended garden in the heart of milan. the location for this urban regeneration project is piazzale loreto, an area dominated by fast-moving traffic. the concept looks to radically transform the existing roundabout by constructing an elevated green area over the entire junction, bringing a generous slice of nature into the city environment and creating a new public plaza space for the people of milan to gather and relax.
images courtesy of LAD
the proposal envisioned by LAD and hypnos is defined by two levels: the plaza space at ground level, and the elevated garden above. under street level, the site marks an important junction of the milan underground. the project therefore proposes to create an access to the subway, while the plaza space is designed to be equipped with various stores, coffee shops and restrooms. above ground, a large circular form is imposed over the footprint of the existing roundabout. by raising the architectural intervention at the edges, a concave basin shape is proposed, creating a green haven in the middle of the busy city fabric.
floating above the plaza, the green space forms a protective shell from the city’s traffic and pollution. access to the garden is gained by stairs and an elevator, and once inside it is organized on two flat levels. the first level hosts stairs and an elevator, as well as some services and covered spaces. in the center there is a large oculus, opened downwards to the plaza underneath. the ‘sovraparco’ project is designed to form a new landmark within milan while also bringing vegetation and greenery into the city. the architectural concept offers a place for people to relax, to read or even to organize small parties or gatherings. the design will be presented during the ‘from spaces to places’ convention at rome’s university, la sapienza, on march 18th 2019.
project info:
project name: ‘sovraparco’ a hanging garden for piazzale loreto
project type: public square
project location: piazzale loreto, milan, italy
design team: nicola brembilla, francesco napolitano
client: proposal for ‘costruire lo spazio pubblico’, a call for papers announced by the faculty of architecture of rome, la sapienza
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edited by: lynne myers | designboom
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the primary views of this are abysmal – it looks like an industrial relic viewed from ground level across the street or from the vista down one of the boulevards leading to it – the nightime presentation is more compelling with the soft wash of light (perhaps changing/polychrome?) – the oasis is wonderful but there is nothing that draws one to it and up – what is the structural viability as shown? – I also agree with Josef’s comment re: underground passages
how about not raising it so high? – lift it only a metre or so off the ground plane and allow it to visually “hover” so as to “unweight” the structure and also bring the arboreal environment into view
Extremely interesting and valid concept for a part of Milan that remains a true urban blackhole. But the current design doesn’t go far enough. Adding green helps addresses an important problem for all of Milan. Check! However, while redesigning Piazza Loreto as a green oasis is a great idea, the designers should do more to connect it to the urban fabric. Decades of failed attempts have taught us that underground passages in the middle of cities should be avoided, and in this case is antithetical to the ‘above ground’ concept itself. I encourage the designers to consider above ground ramp-type footbridges (not stairs) seamlessly connecting foot traffic from (principal) intersecting sidewalks. The urban blight that has always been Piazza Loreto is mainly caused by the fact that it is an island disconnected from its surrounding. In this design it remains an island.