Alessandria

XXL - Xtreme Xperience Land
SPORT SECTOR
PRIZE: 20.000 €

TEAM: RECCHIENGINEERING SRL, Frigerio Design Group, Ing. Livio Dezzani, Arch. Stefano Ponzano, Ing. Ermanno Maritano

The winning project involves the construction of a park dedicated to extreme sports, divided into five thematic areas (water, earth, air, energy and nature).
The two ex-tanks are reused respectively for indoor activities climbing (land area) and scuba diving / deep sea diving (water area); Externally, one is surrounded by areas devoted to skate, BMX, skates and parkour, the other areas for activities such as surfing and wakeboarding. The area dedicated to outside activities contains a simulator for skydiving are and for various activities, such as bungee jumping, base fly and vertical running. . In the energy area, gas turbine groups, the fireplaces and the crane form the environment for an adventure park; a large green area is also dedicated to different sports activities (nature area).

At the site a single new, "building-path" is installed, which winds up through the area, while also offering interesting views at an altitude of the tanks, from which the ongoing activities can be observed. The building contains locker rooms, a medical room, a food court, specialty shops and an auditorium, for training and team building, activities that can also be carried out inside the park.

XXL was awarded a prize because it is excellent according to all the evaluation criteria. In particular the design quality is top-level and the concept is innovative both in terms of architecture and management. The idea in fact enhances the industrial identity of the power plant, keeps the historical memory of the site, by reusing many existing structures for sports activities, integrating them adequately into the project. The idea is based on a interesting and potentially profitable business model, with positive externalities, the ability to attract the attention towards the territory and employment implications for Alessandria and the surrounding areas, focusing especially on young people.

Ring of a continuing story
AGRI-BUSINESS SECTOR
PRIZE: 15.000 €

TEAM: Prof. Arch. Antonello Stella, Daniele Durante (Studio BV36), Arch. Guido Maurizio Urbani, Ing. Maurizio Urbani

The project aims at converting the site into a high-level agricultural pole combining scientific research (mainly for the creation of a seed bank, in which native seeds of valuable or endangered plant species are selected and preserved), field production of local varieties and zero-emissions consumption of characteristic regional and local products.

The site is therefore divided into three macro-areas: the southern area is for research and communication activities of the agricultural pole (including laboratories, offices, greenhouses and a vertical farm), the central area is for field cultivation and production of local varieties, while the northern area will include spaces for restaurants and markets for the sale and consumption of local products.

The project was rewarded for well meeting the evaluation criteria, specifically it is based on the innovative enhancement of products and of agri-food excellence, originating from the territory and  the high quality of the composition project. Specially worthy of mention are the open spaces, characterised by the presence of water tanks, berms, a high-level path connecting the three macro-areas, different paths at ground level and a large elevated green surface. Finally, the project integrates a number of interesting structures that recall the industrial identity of the site (including the former tanks, the former water treatment tank and a gas turbine group).

C.O.R.ZE.T.TI – Oncology Centre, Serviced Residences and Rehabilitation treatments
HOSPITAL-SOCIAL-ASSISTENTIAL SECTOR
PRIZE: 10.000 €

TEAM: Alice Bottelli (studio DBmLab Architects), Giuseppe Joi Donati (studio DBmLab Architects), Arch. Stefano Antonelli, Ing. Ferruccio Galmozzi (DIGIERRE 3 Srl)

The C.O.R.ZE.T.TI project involves the construction of an Oncology Centre, a Social-Assistance Residence, a rehabilitation center; a church/auditorium and a University for the Elderly Rehabilitation.  The project enhances the existing structures, in particular the two tanks, the overhead crane and a fireplace. The architectural solution is based on a court typology and fits well into the context. A number of green roofs will also be built.

CORZE.T.TI, was rewarded for the significant positive social impact it would generate and the quality of its architectural design, which is detailed and well-developed, adequately interacting with the environment and integrating several interesting pre-existing structures. The design concept also involves significant positive externalities for both Alessandria and the nearby urban areas with a significant impact on employment. The proposal is also interesting for its potential in terms of possible future synergies and relationships with other hospitals - rehabilitation centres close to the area.

LIIG – LISSÄNDRIA INNOVATION GARDEN

RESEARCH SECTOR

TEAM: Arch. Matteo Valente, Ing. Davide Baccarin

The project involves the creation of a technological scientific campus for small business, with laboratories, educational areas and co-working spaces, the latter unrelated to specific research issues. The campus also includes incubation and business acceleration services, as well as a temporary residence. The two tanks - icons of the site’s industrial past - will be used respectively for educational purposes and a conference centre. Additionally, the bridge crane will be used again, with laboratories placed below it, the minor tanks and other structures.

The project has received a mentioned for the quality of its architectural composition, which is detailed and well-developed, with a focus also on viable solutions from a structural point of view and the potential positive impact on young people.

E-CITY
RESEARCH SECTOR

TEAM: E-city: Arch. Luigi Centola (Centola & Associati), Arch. Mauro Piantelli (DE8 Architetti), Ing. Arch. Giovanni Zallocco (ERREGI Srl) 

E-CITY consists in the transformation of the plant area into an "electric hub" with clean energy storage, charging, assistance and clean energy distribution; sale and disposal of batteries for full-electric systems (for home automation and zero emissions mobility). The project involves an event area corresponding to the crane, which is maintained in its current location, areas for research, start-ups and co-working and functional to the e-city, headquarters for the exhibition/sale for electric mobility and full-electric home systems. The two tanks are used for the storage of batteries and surrounded by a circuit for electric karts.

The project was mentioned for the innovativeness of the proposed model and the attention paid to the architectural design and the management of environmental, acoustic and visual impacts, as well as social inclusion objectives in terms of involvement of citizens, entrepreneurs and university students.