ARK·LIGHT

The presence of architectural masterpieces such as Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana with their “memorability and monumentality” might intimidate the Architect who is about to study how to intervene on an area as important to Tivoli as the Former Amicucci Paper Mill. Or it might stimulate the designer to detach himself from the ties to the history of these monuments or, even more, see them as a challenge to create something equally memorable and monumental. Well we have taken up the challenge, we want the rehabilitation of the former paper mill to contribute to the redevelopment of the urban fabric of Tivoli and to be an opportunity of growth for the city, and we want to do it with an intervention that is comparable in quality to Villa d’Este and d to Villa Adriana. Currently, the complex is in serious disrepair, almost in ruins. And this is something that we actually want to preserve and also strengthen. Nature extracted it from the stone. Why shouldn’t we let nature take its course? Why should we ”clean up” everything and pretend that nothing happened nothing? Why, should we not let the existing architectural complex go to waste and give more room for the proliferation of greenery, both literally and figuratively? The seduction of ruin is strong and we want to give in to this temptation in this urban transformation and leave the complex entirely dedicated to the sweet victory of nature. 

Inspired by the waterfall of the Aniene River, the project is built on different levels as a kind of green waterfall, with the auditorium completely green inside and located in the ”green waterfall.” This also applies to the parking lot on the lower level of the complex, which has been transformed into an underground park. In places where the existing building needs to be preserved, we let the greenery take its course and programmatically propose to build a cultural hub (which we might call TCH, Tivoli Cultural Hub. In English to emphasize the internationality of Tivoli, its monuments and the project) associated with a Planet Green initiative, with companies specializing in recycling and sustainability, an organic supermarket and of course a restaurant that is completely inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi’s ”green” cuisine. This project has the ultimate taste of nature, this project is the ultimate taste of nature. This project wants to enhance the relationship between man and the environment and does so (also) by planning to allocate part of the renovated building complex to creative, artistic and cultural functions capable of producing ideas and projects in tune with nature and the history of the place. It is a kind of functional and architectural re-boot that develops on parallel tracks ranging from the use of green spaces, as distinctive and distributive elements, to the recovery and enhancement of the existing (which is realized, for example, in the reuse of rubble – where possible – and in the characterization of existing spaces, intended for new functions, thanks to plays of light capable of highlighting millstones and kettles and to fittings, with specially designed furniture, that transform these spaces into surprising meeting rooms, thus sublimating the relationship between the historicity of the place and a contemporary use of it) to the use of innovative materials and technologies capable of enhancing the relationship between nature and the renewed building complex. All this without forgetting the social value of the intervention that aims to involve the citizens and cultural associations of Tivoli. 

Indeed, a redevelopment operation of this magnitude has a moral obligation to have to contribute to the economic growth and cultural enhancement of the city. Culture can and must become (also) a flywheel capable of driving the local economy. With this in mind, we propose to use the interior spaces, not intended for Auditorium and parking (and the already mentioned green restaurant and organic supermarket), as a coworking space / UBI (University Business Incubator), Architecture and Design laboratories (with a focus on restoration), exhibition spaces (within this area will be carved out spaces for an Art Gallery, Atelier for Artists and for a bookstore specializing in Art and Architecture) and a cultural center (where there will also be rooms for the various cultural associations in the area). The combination of these activities, in synergy with the auditorium, will make the former Amicucci paper mill an attractive center of primary importance for Tivoli and beyond. Every aspect of the project was developed with these choices in mind. The connection with the urban fabric of the city is manifested both through the type of activities housed in the former paper mill and in the choice of materials and aesthetic code used in the access paths to the area. These then will not merely perform the task of physical connection but, rather, will themselves become a motif of attraction. In fact, along the 3 paths (which start respectively from Piazzo Domenico Tani, Piazza del Riserraglio and Via degli Stabilimenti (from both directions), bases designed to house Works will be placed, which will be periodically replaced in order to create a sort of path-exhibition, in continuous evolution, that is an extension of the new cultural hub. Each path leads to a different level thus ensuring total permeability of the complex.   

Anyone arriving at the area of the former Amicucci paper mill will be able to directly access a system of scenic “piazzegiardino” landscaped on several levels, designed both to visually interact with the Tower of St. Catherine and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace in Quintiliolo, and as entry points (and connecting points) to the outdoor theater, auditorium, and “green” restaurant. Continuing the path outlined by the “green waterfall” will lead to the cultural hub, obviously accessing from the underground parking lot the path will be reversed. It is worth noting that the parking layout is also consistent with the overall design choices, both in terms of the presence of the green waterfall (on both levels) and the aesthetic code used. This is to ensure ease of use of the complex for visitors. Indeed, we believe that a project of this kind must necessarily be “smart,” throughout. We have thought of intuitive graphics to mark levels, routes, services and functions. We also propose to use technology to facilitate the disabled, for effective access control, to facilitate crowd exodus in case of emergency, to better manage the various spaces and make their use more flexible, to better inform visitors and make them more involved in the events, without forgetting the playful and creative aspect. We wanted to come up with a proposal that would be “user friendly” (and “happy to use”) not only for the occasional users of the spaces but also for those who will work in the complex and those who will have to organize exhibitions, shows and events. For these reasons, the entire project was designed having among its goals flexibility. It is no coincidence that we have sized the auditorium for more than 500 seats considering using seats of the “large” type, such as those used in the premium rooms of modern multiplex cinemas. This approach allows us to easily increase the number of seats-in fact, during the execution phase, we could opt for the use of standard armchairs or, even, think about “stadium-type” seating (padded or equipped with cushions). In this way we could go up to almost 1,000 seats. Of course, the emergency exits were sized considering the maximum crowding assumption. The “light holes” also reflect our intentions to make Tivoli’s new cultural center attractive and intelligent. The “light holes” bring light down to the lower levels, reducing the need for electric light; they contribute to the ventilation of the rooms and, above all, make the surrounding spaces pleasant thanks also to the “green islands” placed in correspondence with them. The latter are an extension of the “green waterfall” and, together with the panoramic “garden squares,” form the beating heart of the underground park. The existing building will be left intact, albeit adapted to regulations through a targeted seismic upgrade, will be subject to rehabilitation and will be used as a cultural hub. Respect for the memory of the place is also reflected in the decision to reuse, where possible, rubble and travertine for both exteriors and interiors. The old machines will also be enhanced and used as key elements of the interior arrangements (some directly where they are found others relocated). Their presence will characterize the common spaces, both those dedicated to cultural associations and the exhibition area for cultural events. As well as in those that will house the Art and Design gallery and Artists’ studios. There will also be “memories” of the old paper mill in the Architecture workshops, in the spaces dedicated to coworking and in those where star-ups will find space, and even in the restaurant. The TCH will become a center where Art and Culture, Architecture and Environment meet. Areas dedicated to shared work and those made available for start-ups will host all those activities that can link new technologies to these themes. Technology will be at the service of ecology and culture in an environment where the studied alternation between open and closed spaces, between nature and built, between memory and innovation will generate a creative flow that will extend its positive influence to the entire city.

(credits Nio Architect)