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Skate Park Schlanders, Bolzano Italy

Skate Park Schlanders, Bolzano Italy
Project description: WAJ ARCHITECT | Dr. Arch. Jürgen Wallnöfer | [email protected]

As part of the process of redesigning the football training area, the municipality of Schlanders, Bolzano, Italy has realized a skate park on a remaining area of ​​about 1000sqm. Already at an early planning stage, a group of young people was involved to respond to their specific wishes and ideas. The involvement of young people has helped that every one of them has identified himself right from the beginning with "his" project. During the planning phase, the German company "IOU-Ramps" provided professional support and they were later entrusted with the construction work.

Very soon, the construction method of the plant, which mainly determines the design and costs, was discussed. The initial idea was a realization with wood and steel elements. This solution, however, was rejected in favor of an organically shaped concrete surface. This construction method sets no boundaries to the creativity of the planners and allows the realization of (almost) every idea. The incomparable longer lifetime makes up for the slightly higher costs. In addition to the outstanding handling characteristics of such a system, this was ultimately the main argument for the realization in concrete.
One of the peculiarities of the system is the use of marble blocks from "Covelano", a local high-quality natural stone mined in the municipality. The marble elements were precisely cut in the factory according to the indications of the company IOU-Ramps and were integrated in the facility. From the remaining blocks of this high quality domestic marble several benches and seating elements were made, which were positioned in the green area of ​​the facility and invite now to relax and linger.
The sensitive embedding of the skate park into the existing terrain prevents that the system is perceived as a disturbing alien element. Particular emphasis was placed on the preservation of the birch tree population, which provides shade, especially in summer and invites to linger.
The new skate park of Schlanders is now a meeting place of young skaters of the whole region.