A space full of natural, homogeneous and diffused light. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
07/10/2020.
[Bologna] Italy
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
The architecture studio based in Parma Italy, Di Gregorio Associati, has developed the design for the new pavilions 29 and 30 in the industrial area of the Bologna Fair, one of the main international fair players and which has one of the most advanced exhibition areas in the world.
The 33,000-square-meter project for the new pavilions is part of a larger masterplan that aims to remodel and expand the exhibition center, which was established in the 1960s.
The 33,000-square-meter project for the new pavilions is part of a larger masterplan that aims to remodel and expand the exhibition center, which was established in the 1960s.
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati. Photograph by HG Esch
Bologna Fiere masterplan. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Project floor plan. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Section. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Section. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Detail. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Node detail. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Axonometry. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Skecth. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Model. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
Construction. New pavilions for the Bologna Fiere by Di Gregorio Associati
The project developed by Di Gregorio Associati consists of a lightweight structure, a kind of modular system designed to be repeatable over 75 meters of the span of a single section without central supports while providing the connection with the city.
As a consequence, large translucent surfaces are obtained, where each space benefits from natural, homogeneous, and diffused light. Allowing these surfaces to absorb the surrounding atmosphere during the day and create a light-filled structure at night that towers over the landscape.
As a consequence, large translucent surfaces are obtained, where each space benefits from natural, homogeneous, and diffused light. Allowing these surfaces to absorb the surrounding atmosphere during the day and create a light-filled structure at night that towers over the landscape.
Description of project by Di Gregorio Associati
Di Gregorio Associati designed new pavilions for the Bologna Fiere, as part of a broader masterplan that aims to redevelop and expand the exhibition centre, which was established in the 1960s. The 33,000 square meters of the new 29 and 30 pavilions were built after the demolition of the old deteriorated structures, in a record time of just ten months. For this project, the Parma-based architecture studio is leading a team of experts with the scientific consultancy of Aurelio Galfetti.
“The whole project is based on a modular system, repeated through an axis, mending the existing context. A design approach that becomes a method”
Francesco Di Gregorio, the architect in charge of the project.
The kernel of the project is the mall; a distribution axis dotted with rest stops, restaurants, social spaces and services, that crosses the exhibition complex from north to south and regenerates it evoking the porticoes of Bologna. It is a light structure, a sort of modular system designed to be repeatable, that provides an ideal connection with the city.
“The mall reflects the idea of a new urban street, a void defined by a framework. The pavilions are flexible spaces such as public squares”
Di Gregorio further explains.
The pavilions, 75 meters of single-span light without central supports, allows for different usages (currently pavilion 30 is being used as a basketball arena). Thanks to the large translucent surfaces, each space benefits from natural, homogeneous and diffused daylight; these surfaces during the day absorb the surrounding atmosphere and at night create a light-filled structure standing on the landscape.
“The project has the potential of the simple but radical, strong but essential constructions” claims Aurelio Galfetti, the Swiss master of Ticino architecture and co-founder of the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio.
The second phase of this project is already underway, and is expected to open in October 2020, with pavilion 37 equipped with a movable ceiling that will allow it to be used as an outdoor exhibition space.
More information
Architects
Design team
Francesco Nicolini, Oliviero Brognoli, Gabriele Giampietri, Stefano Montanari, Marco Taccagni, Domenico Taliano.
Collaborators
Scientific Consultancy.- Aurelio Galfetti, Gabriele Cappellato. Associates.- Francesco Musetti, Umberto Marossa. Structure.- Massimo Majowiecki – MJW Structures. General Coordination.- Bologna Fiere S.p.a., BF Eng S.r.l. Construction Management.- Aldo Barbieri - Studio Enarco. Mechanical and Electrical Systems Studio Nocera S.r.l., Bologna Fiere S.p.a., Studio Breveglieri.
Client
Bologna Fiere S.p.a.
Builder
Strabag S.p.a., Alpiq Energia Italia S.p.a., Cimolai S.p.a., Cotti & Marchi S.r.l.
Area
35,000 sqm.
Dates
2019.
Location
Bologna, Italy.
Photography
Di Gregorio Associati
Di Gregorio Associati is an architectural firm based in Parma, Italy. The studio is associated by Francesco Di Gregorio and Gianni Di Gregorio. A multidisciplinary team with more than 30 years of practice and over 300 projects completed, with extensive international experience in urban, residential, commercial and infrastructural design.
The Studio activity spans from studies of technology and economic feasibility for private and public clients, general project management & coordination, scientific restoration, urban planning, interior design, landscape and classified military architectural projects.
Francesco Di Gregorio was born in Parma in 1985, and graduated from the Academy of Architecture of Mendrisio in Switzerland with speakers Mario Botta and Aurelio Galfetti and studied at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm with Anders Wilhelmson and Tor Lindstrand.
He has built projects in Italy, Spain, Sweden, France, Germany and Brazil, and participated in several exhibitions, among which "Giovani architetti grattano il cielo", curated by Casabella Laboratorio and "Architects meet in Selinunte - Partire Tornare Restare".
He is associate producer of ZID films, a film production company based in Paris. Francesco has been awarded with “Iconic Architecture Award 2020” by the German Design Council.
Gianni Di Gregorio was born in 1946 in Parma. Mr Di Gregorio graduated in fine arts at institute Paolo Toschi, later teaching art history and geometric design. He worked as a painter until the late '70s, exhibiting in severals solo and group exhibitions and obtaining various meaningful awards and recognitions.
In 1978 he graduated cum laude in architecture at the University of Florence, with a thesis on industrialized systems applied to the realization of residential organisms. In the same year, he founded Architown design studio, collaborating among others with Arch. Gino Valle.
Founding member and CEO of Studio Di Gregorio Associati, in the course of half a century of profession Mr Di Gregorio has realized works on national and international level dealing with a large number of building types and projects: from interior design to residential, executive, commercial, as well as urban planning, large infrastructures and expo centers, with roles of project management as much as technical-administrative tests leader.
The Studio activity spans from studies of technology and economic feasibility for private and public clients, general project management & coordination, scientific restoration, urban planning, interior design, landscape and classified military architectural projects.
Francesco Di Gregorio was born in Parma in 1985, and graduated from the Academy of Architecture of Mendrisio in Switzerland with speakers Mario Botta and Aurelio Galfetti and studied at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm with Anders Wilhelmson and Tor Lindstrand.
He has built projects in Italy, Spain, Sweden, France, Germany and Brazil, and participated in several exhibitions, among which "Giovani architetti grattano il cielo", curated by Casabella Laboratorio and "Architects meet in Selinunte - Partire Tornare Restare".
He is associate producer of ZID films, a film production company based in Paris. Francesco has been awarded with “Iconic Architecture Award 2020” by the German Design Council.
Gianni Di Gregorio was born in 1946 in Parma. Mr Di Gregorio graduated in fine arts at institute Paolo Toschi, later teaching art history and geometric design. He worked as a painter until the late '70s, exhibiting in severals solo and group exhibitions and obtaining various meaningful awards and recognitions.
In 1978 he graduated cum laude in architecture at the University of Florence, with a thesis on industrialized systems applied to the realization of residential organisms. In the same year, he founded Architown design studio, collaborating among others with Arch. Gino Valle.
Founding member and CEO of Studio Di Gregorio Associati, in the course of half a century of profession Mr Di Gregorio has realized works on national and international level dealing with a large number of building types and projects: from interior design to residential, executive, commercial, as well as urban planning, large infrastructures and expo centers, with roles of project management as much as technical-administrative tests leader.
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