Nuovo Science Centre di Città della Scienza
The New Science Centre of Naples will be built along the coastline between Bagnoli and Coroglio. While its simple shape creates a formal continuity with industrial typologies present in the sorrounding, small openings constellate all facades following a specific pattern to recall the image of the old museum destroyed by a fire in 2013.
The new Science Centre will play a strategic role Naples’ territorial development, creating a new urban centrality.
Key to the future architectural development of the site is to explore the possibilities for the revitalization of the western seaside quarter Bagnoli. The aim of the project is to revitalize the area and to create a dialogue with the building entrance and the public areas to activate the northern part of Coroglio and the sea site quarter of Bagnoli.
The relationship between the surrounding and the historical preservation of the factory, destroyed by the fire in 2013, forms the basis for the architectural concept. The site is scattered by fragments of the old structure of the Science center: pillars, arches, and a part of the old façade are the unique memory of the old “fabrica”.
The new Science Center addresses the character and identity of the area, maximizes the existing value of the industrial heritage and creates a new active public space. Speculating on a series of different solutions, through the use of simple and monolithic volumes, we highlight the historical features of the industrial architecture.
Emphasis was placed on clearly defining a volume, which creates a relationship with the ruins and the existing buildings, establishing at same time a strong sculptural presence and a new landmark in the beautiful landscape scenery of Bagnoli.
The typology of industrial factories leads to new fresh inputs for the organization and exhibition of museum spaces. The basic form becomes a solution that includes all of the specific requirements. The program is organized around 3 levels, creating sequences of spaces with different height, width and light conditions.
As source of inspiration, a series of large rooms (whose shape is reminiscent of public spaces of the past, such as the Roman basilicas and markets) exceeds the current conception of the museum seen as interconnected spaces and becomes once more an active space for the citizens - a place to meet, educate, confront and share knowledge.
Existing buildings on the area were mainly built with a pours material such as tuff, which has a pale yellow-orange color. The concrete facade is inspired by its presence and the ’Opus Reticulatum’ - a form of brickwork used in ancient Roman architecture.
Through controlled light input from the openings in the facade, our proposal offers an atmospheric variety. It allows natural light to filter into enclosed spaces during the day and the building is characterized by the interplay of reliefs and glass reflections. At night, the light reveals a pattern, recalling the tragic event of the fire, and transforms the new cultural hub into a memorial lantern, establishing a more vibrant and lively area. In this regard, it is intended that both indoor as well as outdoor areas are activated.
We focus on creating an open urban center, while developing all the functional requirements of a future museum complex. The program of the building is organized around a central void, which accommodates the main entrance and creates a new dialogue between the existing plaza and the waterfront. The general layout facilitates various exhibition possibilities.
The void functions as a vertical lobby, which leads to the museum ́s permanent exhibition and the flexible exhibition spaces. The more active spaces such as the children’s museum and playground, the cafeteria, workshops and the museum shop are distributed along the galleries of the permanent exhibition. They are accessible both from the main exhibition area and from the main hall, thus allowing the visitor to create his own path through the museum.
In the interior, the human experience of space and the generous volumes act as key components, thus expanding the idea of museum to a congenial place for continued public engagement.
The envelope of the building combines the advantages of compactness and energy efficiency, allowing for the distribution and the re-use of heat on the different levels during winter and maximizing the airflow during the summer months.
