REGENERATION OF A TOWN’S CORNER | Arch. Antonio Lauletta

The project aim is to reconfigure or "re-activate" an urban corner - a remnant space - through street furniture.

The constraints present are the adjacent road, the old stone wall, and the connotation of the project area, which appears to be halfway between a sidewalk - along which it is actually located - and a small square. The state of affairs saw the presence of anonymous street furniture placed frontally against the road.

The design solution provides a new furniture arrangement according to the ideal curved generator line that allows the space to be used differently, rotating the benches toward each other, and implementing sociality among the users.

The furniture consists of two benches with concrete tops and wooden seat accessory (industrially produced by METALCO), while the planters and brackets supporting the benches were custom-made in Corten by local craftsmen. The benches were recessed into the existing pavement and placed flat on the sloping ground. The intention is to configure different seating heights for different types of users: adults, the elderly, children, etc.

The planted tree species include native varieties such as olive and medicinal plants and exotic varieties such as Japanese maple.

credits: METALCO srl - Anita Cappella photographer