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The agreement between Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ligure Orientale and LSCT – La Spezia Container Terminal resulted in the relocation of 5,000 square metres of Calata Paita as the first element of a larger transformation involving the urban redevelopment of areas that had previously served as ports. The key objectives of the project were restitution, rehabilitation, integration, tradition, community and sustainability. The completed project, characterised by vibrant colours and versatility, has created a new public space composed of temporary structures housing a range of services, social, cultural, sports, commercial and restaurant spaces. This reflects the vision of a vibrant city that reconnects with its maritime heritage.
The project aims to revitalise the area, returning it to the city and making it an integral part of it. The idea is to propose a new approach to the sea in the stretch regained to the city and facing Porta Paita, which can be used as a solarium thanks to a sequence of platforms that can be equipped with deckchairs, sunbeds and sunshades. From an architectural point of view, the use of prefabricated elements has given way to an image of the city defined by its archetypal language, using simple geometric shapes with pitched roofs with the intention of obtaining an iconic, cottage-like form, simple and recognisable.
The design solutions adopted are all in the name of environmental sustainability, with a focus on energy sustainability. A horizontal green belt is planned to counteract the 'heat island' effect and separate it from the other functions of the port. The area is landscaped with a variety of trees and shrubs, as well as benches for sitting by the sea. A level fountain has also been incorporated into the design. In terms of energy, each prefabricated module has a photovoltaic panel system on the south-facing slope, contributing significantly to the overall installation and the environmental sustainability of the operation. In the execution phase, the design was also developed using BIM methods and tools, which allowed constant and full control of the project at every stage.
The transformation was carried out with great care, with the aim of creating a synthesis of the city's identity categories, which were originally established as the basis of the architectural concept. These categories include the Hills, the City with its Squares and the Sea. The hills symbolise the green spaces that have a 'green barrier' function to protect the more urban spaces. The city is developed on an orthogonal plot, with services for the public, commercial activities and restaurants. This area is equipped with a series of prefabricated boxes that can accommodate different functions, including temporary shops, bars, restaurants, street food and public toilets. Each material/colour is used exclusively to make a specific function recognisable: the bars are defined by the use of red, the restaurants are coloured blue, the toilets in black metal, the street food kiosks are clad in wood, and the multi-purpose boxes are entirely characterised by the use of green walls and roofs. The urban space will be enriched by the addition of a platform that will serve as a base for all existing facilities, creating a comfortable seating area for visitors. The square will become a focal point for social interaction, offering opportunities for collective and team sports, entertainment and relaxation. The sea will serve as a starting and finishing point, as well as a vantage point. To facilitate signposting, wayfinding methodology has been chosen to help locate and reach the new district.
Mario Sommariva, president of the ADSP, commented on Fabrica's project idea as follows, "The elaborate, dynamic, sustainable and innovative project immediately made us realise that we were on the right track. The inauguration of 'Porta Paita' embodies the idea of port development, combining the development of commercial traffic with environmental and social sustainability. The idea is that of a 'village by the sea' that tells and enhances the city's most authentic identity".
FABRICA is a dynamic design company that integrates in-house professional expertise in all fields of design, from architecture to urban planning, from structural engineering to plant engineering, to form a multidisciplinary team capable of addressing and solving even the most complex aspects of architecture. The operational structure, made up of 50 different professionals including architects, engineers and technical specialists, deals with integrated public and private design in the civil, industrial, office, commercial and residential fields, also managed with innovative BIM resources and technological tools. Innovation, Creativity, Sustainability, Balance, Technology, Experience, Integration, BIM Methodology characterize the way of being and operating of Fabrica, which with its Academy collaborates with Universities and Training Centers for the continuous search of talents and skills.
