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Bernard Tschumi unveils his first scheme in Italy: The ANIMA Project
Renowned architect Bernard Tschumi has been commissioned to carry out his first design project in Italy. The ANIMA project, which was unveiled on 20 February 2013, is a 30m-high cultural centre located in Grottammare, Italy and will span an area of approximately 7,000 sq m. Due to be completed in 2016 and commissioned by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ascoli Piceno and the municipality of Grottammare, the design 'highlights the remarkable quality of a building characterised by flexible space'.
The project recalls the historic architecture of the area with the building designed as a single, compact entity with flexible interior and exterior area for visitors. Regarding the distinctive white, organic shapes on the exterior of the building, this came about after a reflection on facades by Bernard Tschumi with the patterns being most striking on the southern side of the building.
In his description of the project, Bernard Tschumi commented: “Could one design a facade without resorting to formal composition? Could one design a facade that would be neither abstract nor figurative, but formless, so to speak? Our motivation in raising these questions was both economic and cultural. At a time of economic crisis, to indulge in formal geometries made out of complex volumetric curves did not seem a responsible option. The time of 'Iconism' seemed to be over, together with the arbitrary sculptural shapes of the recent past, often done without consideration for context, content, or budget.”
Configured as a dynamic space with garden and market areas, various different events can be held at the centre include shows, exhibitions, conferences and workshops. Speaking about the project, Bernard Tschumi Architects said: “ANIMA will encourage community groups and foster local productivity, thus becoming an urban generator for the development of the area. A centre of excellence and creativity of local resources is born.” Inside the building, the main space can hold up to 1,500 visitors, with four large courtyards exiting off the main area together with various pathways containing laboratories, offices and a cafe.
Naomi Wilcock
Editorial
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