Chiasma#812926 | Associazione Acropoli

Chiasma#81292 is the second edition of the design and build workshop organized by the university association Acropoli. It has entirely been designed and realized by students and young architects.

The result of the weeklong event is “AgorHUB”, a system of different elements which coexist in the internal yard of ImpactHub Trento, defining an interesting and alienating place where to stay, a true urban oasis designed for social interaction.

The design process starts with the analysis of the context in which the yard is inserted. In fact, this area can be considered both fresh and dynamic, thanks to the surrounding activities (such as co-woring spaces and the Library of the university of Trento); however, at the same time, it is also sterile and isolated, fenced on all four sides. As a consequence, its potential is not maximized.

In its initial state, the yard wasused as a parking area and only a small part of it was used as social gathering space. The area was noisy and polluted by car traffic, and this had a negative impact especially on workers acting there.     

On the contrary, the yard should have gathered the variety of its essence, which includes different companies and different workers.

The design concept was inspired by the historical Roman circle, creating a commemorative space, enriched with its missing functions: a shaded area with urban furniture and vegetation. 

The elements which define AgorHUB are three: the Circus big top, the Obelisk and the Wheelbarrow.

The Circus top is a central plan structure with eight sides and two different accesses. It’s a comfortable place where to relax and discuss with all the people living ImpactHUB. This is also possible thanks to a parachute: this element serves as roof for the internal space of the circus topand as protection from the sun during the long summer days.

The obelisk is located on the opposite side of the yard. It is a strong landmark and thanks to its truncated pyramidal covering, it soars toward the blue sky with its 5 meters height. This creates a very intimate and protected atmosphere: the access is very small and the seats are located at the same level of the pavement. The obelisk is set on a larger stepped platform and its basement is closed on three sides.  

The wheelbarrows are mobile elements. They can be rotated and are able to take different configurations as seats or small tables. Thanks to their wheels on the inferior part they can be easily transported everywhere.

Green plants complete the project. The chosen plants had to reflect the environmental characteristics of the place where the project is located: the River Adige was recognized as a strong element influencing this choice. Their role is both aesthetic and functional, they bring color and shadow and help beautify the space. The species inserted have been selected by Priola farm, which helped defining the planting design.

On a structural level, the entire project is realized using a dry system, with wooden beams covered with finishing axis. 

The workshop “Chiasma” has offered the opportunity of conception, definition, and construction of a small sized architectural artifact.

This week represented an opportunity for students to face architectural and urban regeneration topics, to design and realize a space able to encourage social interaction and to create a dialogue between ImpactHUB, “Le Albere” district and the Fratelli Michelin park. The workshop was possible thanks to the support of Italian studio Campomarzio, german studio Fakt and collettivo Orizzontale who worked as tutors. A special thanks goes to the professor Sara Favargiotti. With their experience these professional figures helped the participants to achieve the best result possible.

The workshop was organized with the financial support of the Provincia Autonoma di Trento, the TAUT and Politiche Giovanili Trento; it was possible thanks to the patronage of the University of Trento, to the sponsorship given by Rothoblaas  and the support of Itas Assicurazioni and XLam Dolomiti. 

DESIGN TEAM: Antolini Anna, Bertè Martina, Constandoiu Vladut Vasile, Fabroni Elisabetta, Ferri Valentina, Filippini Damiano, Luini Luca, Martinis Mario, Meriano Chiara, Ozturk Berk, Poli Erika, Rangoni Gargano Elena, Taufer Angela, Tomasi Marika, Zatta Elisa

COORDINATION: Studio Campomarzio, Studio Fakt, Collettivo Orizzontale

CONSULTANTS: Favargiotti Sara