MINI Space - Architecture and Politics - Trouble in Novoli - Projects - Check-In Architecture - creative projects, competitions, events, thoughts and ideas, by MINI

Background by

I like it show next

all about the competition

Check-In Architecture Missions About

previous video

view mission list

next video

Architecture and Politics - Trouble in Novoli

From: naples, Italy to Florence, Italy

Share this video

Agents Report:

The Agents:

benny

raffaele

Leave our agents a message

The quarter of Novoli was once a swamp, to later become an idustrial area owned by FIAT. There were rumours it would be requalified, not without an endless ordeal of problems and hindrances, due to subsidies (that were not arriving) and private customers (who didn’t really know how to move). We interviewed councillor Paolo Coggiola as regards to this, who was very clear in his answers. We’re sorry about the last part of the interview, which didn’t come out too well. We also had a walk around the neighbourhood and took pictures of some public buildings under construction, besides the plan of the new bank. We hope it’s enough. We thank you for the opportunity you’ve given to us, it’s been a splendid experience and we hope there’ll be other chances to work together. Benedetto Sparaco, Raffaele Guerrera

Original Briefing

What are the ways that politics can affect architecture?

The north-western Florentine suburb of Novoli is a little like those kids who grow up with a lot of problems, the kind who's parents were too busy bickering over shit instead of taking care of them. It started as a swamp, then an industrial area property of FIAT, and then it was supposed to be redeveloped, but with oh, so many trials and tribulations. It all started in the mid-80s, when Bruno Zeni invited an American landscape architect to design a new face to the neighborhood, focusing on a big round park in the middle. Too bad the public administration changed and the project was trashed in favor of another, signed by Luxembourgish theorist Leon Krier. The new project went medieval, allegedly inspired by the livelier urban expansion from the old days. Which was to say, short buildings and curvy, narrow alleys. One common trait of the two different plans was Leonardo Ricci's justice court, who died before seeing its, difficult, completion. The building is now almost done, but stuff still needs to be fixed and public funding is slow. In terms of delays, Florence university moved its social science department as planned to Novoli, but the students had to wait three years for it to be provided with a cafeteria.

Gallery

1 2

Mission Guestbook

Leave our agents a comment.

Why Join MINI Space?

Because membership has its privileges, seriously...

·	Get involved in creative competitions & projects
·	Get invited to MINI events & parties
·	Get featured with your creative work and meet other creative people