Italy’s Got Talent – 10 Awesome Projects From Italy

Article by Radenka Kolarov Following up on our world series, we have selected 10 awesome projects that perfectly represent landscape architecture in Italy today. “You may have the universe if I may have Italy.” This sentence by Giuseppe Verdi gives us a powerful reason to stand for a moment and admire what a beautiful country Italy is. Whether we are lovers of fine wines or expensive sports cars, fashion or enchanting art and culture, we can find our personal heaven in any corner of this outstanding country. With all of this, can you imagine the breathtaking landscape architecture projects Italy has to offer? So, let’s take a look at the top 10 projects from Italy, representing periods from the Renaissance to the present day, and find out something you might not already know.

Projects From Italy

10. Development of the Village Centre, by Alles Wird Gut, in Innichen The main idea was to design a place of comfort that gives a new aspect to the village — and Alles Wird Gut certainly managed that. The pedestrian zone makes the place safer and more useful for both tourists and locals. The long, dark-green serpentine path has five layers that are affiliated in just the right way, in a shape that represents the surrounding mountains, with ramps for easy access, a few coniferous trees and grasses, and pathways consisting of textures such as cement and gravel.

9. Mediterranean Terrace, by Studio S.O.A.P, in Alassio Usually when we think about Italian Renaissance gardens, we think of some determination order, symmetry, and vastness. This garden covers only 142 square meters, but yet has respected all of these principles, together with providing modern elements and functions. It has three levels, each specifically dedicated for a function: dining, outdoor living area, and swimming pool with sun beds. Beside water elements, we also know that Cypresses and boxwoods are an essential part of Italian gardening. 8. Piazza Nember, by Valeri Zoia and Stradevarie Architects, in Jesolo Jesolo is known as a famous seaside resort, thanks to its abundant holiday facilities and its 15-kilometer beach, Lido di Jesolo. This new design has provided a requalification of the space, giving roominess and a functional organization more in accordance with a square. At the same time, the project deals with the connection, both in a visual and functional way, of the two streets (Dei Mille and Verdi), which had looked perceptively “far” from each other. They are now linked by paths for walking and cycling. It has become a center for socialization and a preferred spot in the city. 7. Piazza del Campo, in Siena Piazza del Campo is a unique place in the whole of the world, starting with the very particular conformation of the ground, which turns the square into a big concave shell. The paving is made of red bricks arranged in a fishbone style, divided into a sunburst pattern by nine strips of travertine. Warm colors and rich textures make the square inviting, and it is always filled with people. 6. Contemporary Piazza Rosa, by Studio Fink, in Bergamo This well known Italian square, which Le Corbusier called “the most beautiful square in Europe” , was transformed for two weeks into an outdoor living room during an event attracting tens of thousands of citizens and tourists. The idea was to emphasize the contrast of a strong conceptual and artistic expression through bold use of noticeable colors, shapes, smells, and texture of plantings, while bearing in mind the theme of healing landscape and social sustainability. 5. Contemporary Italian Garden, by Giuseppe Lunardini Landscape Architecture, in Ortonovo The idea for this design was to create a series of outdoor green rooms that would become more natural and nuanced as one moves away from the primary residence. That design approach is an inspiration from Pietro Porcinai, a renowned 20th century Italian landscape architect whose projects featured gardens that were so integrated into their surroundings that they appeared to be natural and un-designed. In this project, all of that was satisfied through a terrific choice of plants and a very pleasant atmosphere. 4. Palma de Vecchio Pop-up Square, by Studio Fink, in Bergamo The 100-Day Pop-Up Square was full of artistic splendor and colorful inspirations to accompany the first large retrospective exhibition of Palma il Vecchio paintings. The designers opted for a strong contrast between the gallery’s setting and the general atmosphere of the city itself, in order to create a comfortable and memorable external room and a place encouraging social interaction, conversation, and contemplation before and after seeing the exhibition. 3. Villa D’este, in Tivoli There are not enough words to describe the beauty of the Villa d’Este. More than just a delightful palace and garden, it is one of the most remarkable and comprehensive illustrations of Renaissance culture at its most refined. Its innovative design, along with the architectural components in the garden (fountains, ornamental basins, etc.) makes this a unique example of an Italian 16th century masterpiece garden. 2. UAE Pavilion, by Foster+Partners and WATG, in Milan WATCH >>> UAE Pavilion Milan Expo 2015

For every lover of a desert, Eastern melodies, and food, this place would present a small utopia and a personal oasis. And even if you are not, now is a perfect time for you to consider all the charms that it provides. The pavilion was set for “Expo Milan”. It is based on the ancient principle of Decumanus design. A 12-meter-high wall is a simulation of dunes in the sandy desert with three zones: Sandy Dunes, Rocky Desert and Oasis. 1. ENEL Pavilion, by Piuarch, in Milan WATCH >>> Title: Expo 2015: Virtual Tour of the Enel Pavilion

Designers managed to create a pavilion, an LED forest, a smart energy grid, and a landscape instead of architecture. Six hundred and fifty polycarbonate vectors were grafted onto the grid, drawing a fancy cellular pattern on the ground. With the educational approach of conveying the idea of energy sharing, the grid uses a network of metallic elements that transfer electricity distribution and data flow. This is an excellent project that in the best way justifies the theme of the exposition — “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”.

Projects From Italy

If you haven’t found your personal heaven, Italy could be the place. Italy is a land of ancient history, colossal buildings, historic cities, famous painters, and remarkable pieces of art. Landscape architecture has always been at a high level of quality, too. Whether it is a Mediterranean terrace or perhaps the Villa D’este, the same spirit it merges. “Traveling is the ruin of all happiness! There’s no looking at a building after seeing Italy.” – Fanny Burney. Which of these projects do you prefer and like the most? Let us know in the comment section below! Go to comments Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs

Article by Radenka Kolarov

Published in Blog