Two samples of modern architecture in north-eastern Italy: A. Rossi e M. Fuksas

We were promised some time to visit the 10th Biennale of Architecture in Venice (which I will talk about details in a future adventure).
During the trip we organize, then, a series of side trips. One of them took us inland Veneto provinces of Padua and Vicenza, to visit two architectures are as important as different in terms of purchasing, architects, cultural background and result:
• The Municipality of Borgoricco (PD) by Aldo Rossi.
• The "bubble" in the factory Grappa Nardini in Bassano del Grappa (VI) by Massimiliano Fuksas.

 

CITY HALL OF BORGORICCO (PD) by Aldo Rossi.

How to get there: From the motorway exit Padova Est taking the State version of the saint (Padova - Castelfranco) output Borgoricco - San Michele, turn right, continue for about 2 km after the traffic lights take the second left side, the town hall is on the right.
Territory: Borgoricco is a town in the province of Padua. Characteristics of the territory of this municipality is the division rule: long and straight roads intersect at a drawing board, despite the passage of centuries, has maintained the originality of the famous Roman "graticolato. The land was divided into "centuries", about 710 square meters on each side with separate estates for the settlers and Borgoricco is in the heart of centuriata north-east of Padua, whose outline is well preserved.
The project: In the mid 80's Aldo Rossi was assigned to the task of a detailed plan in order to correctly insert the territory centuriated the new council headquarters.
The building is fitted in exactly the orthogonal grid of the territory. It, follow the structure of typical Venetian villa, comprises a central body and two wings of service to form a small square enclosed on three sides by the colonnade on the fourth and open to the surrounding environment. In it you play different functions: offices, board room, library, museum.
The building was completed posthumously by colleagues of the architect and opened in March 2003
Findings: However you think sull'architetto (and I'm not crazy for his work even though I appreciate the thought of theoretical) one can not appreciate the compositional clarity of the work that each function does correspond to a typical volume of the history of 'architecture (tower, porch, cylinder etc.).. Represents the will of the architect and architectural worth a trip.

The "bubbles" in Grappa Nardini factory in Bassano Del Grappa (VI) by Massimiliano Fuksas.

How to get there: The work is in the garden of the establishment Nardini in Bassano del Grappa, in the industrial zone that develops in the southern outskirts of the city (Via Madonna di Monte Berico).
From the east (Asolo): take the junction with the SS248, take the SS47 south (Pink) on the crossing with Via Valsugana take direction Bassano center. After approximately 500m on the left is Via Madonna di Monte Berico (the note for a large sign Nardini). Continue for about 800m to the right is the establishment, left the administrative offices. The bubbles are in the courtyard of the latter.
The visit: The company organizes regular tours. We booked at their site www.nardini.it then put them in touch with you to determine the date and time.
It all started as a simple attempt with little hope of success ( "these things" - I thought - "only work abroad") and instead came out a magnificent tour made by the same owner, Mrs. Cristina Nardini, as well as gentle very passionate and prepared. Personally accompanied us throughout the complex for over two hours with the pride of someone who realizes that he commissioned a beautiful piece of modern architecture (not by chance was awarded the prize for the commission for the year 2006).
The project: The owners have wanted to celebrate the 250th anniversary (2004) with an architectural work "leaving the sign" that "enhance the territory" and that "staying in the time warning for future generations." There were also some functions that were in need of new spaces such as a conference room, meeting room and a new laboratory analysis.
The architect solved simply with two signs: an elegant and technology (the bubbles out of the ground hosting the workshop and the meeting room) and a brutal concrete (basement conference room under the swimming pool of water).
The idea that the architect has rocketed to the patrons at the bottom of a dish on the day of the assignment, is a kind of alembic glass resting on land and water (the pool) to represent the historical function of the company. A particularly significant that we note in the photos: the portholes that give light to the underground spaces and springing from the water of the pool in a disorderly fashion giving the impression of "boiling water".
Also work is a waste of technology (all made in Italy) and innovative materials that give it that touch of high-tech is very difficult to find buildings of our country.
Findings: What can I say! To see a work of Fuksas I also did 5000 km. The result was above the most optimistic expectations. And 'one of those projects that return somewhere in the desolate face of modern Italy.
Missed !!!!!