Bologna, e-Bo
Exhibition pavilion
for city projects

The project for the e-Bo (Exhibition Bologna) Urban Centre emerged from Bologna's need to communicate to the public current and future projects and to find a suitable venue in which to present them.

Bologna is a city of about 350,000 inhabitants and has a well identified centre, Piazza Maggiore. As in many Italian cities the surrounding suburbs have been unable to develop such autonomous and clearly defined meeting places. For this reason, and because of the specific function of the proposed pavilion, it was decided to locate it in the heart of the historic city on Piazza Re Enzo.

The exhibition project consists of two parts. The first is the recovery of an existing abandoned underground shopping centre, 800 m2 in size, situated under Via Rizzoli that has access from Piazza Re Enzo and is linked to different parts of the city centre. The second part is the construction of two pavilions, 100 m2 each, slightly raised above the ground level. These house a reception and information desk and a multimedia presentation of the exhibition content.

The chosen location means that the pavilions are placed close to the mediaeval Palace of Re Enzo. This building was substantially altered at the beginning of the 20th Century by the architect Rubbiani, who worked on the façade on Piazza Nettuno, the sides along Via Rizzoli and Piazza Re Enzo and the Piazza Nettuno courtyard.

The closeness and visibility of this Palace inspired the decision to create a contrast between the historic building and the new by choosing contemporary materials.
Only glass is used and this stands in contrast to the compact mass of brickwork which forms the historic palace. The setting has demanded careful consideration of the architectural details.

The envelope of the pavilions is made from a double skin curtain wall. The outer layer is made from curved glass and the inner from vertical Plexiglas tubes jointed like knots in bamboo (this reference to the natural world is echoed in the handle of the entrance door which is made from a single bamboo stem). The interior of these tubes is exploited for lighting purposes, each one containing a group of three white and blue LEDs (light emitting diodes) adding to the luminous transparent effect of the pavilions.

The stairs that lead to the underground area pass some archaeological remains.
The underground exhibition areas alternate between large and small spaces that
are unified by full height panelling (dictated by the low ceiling height). The exhibition is reminiscent of a continuous film reel that is stretched the length of the sinuous curving walls, in contrast with the rigid structure in reinforced concrete.
A large central space interspersed with columns is like a covered square. An illusion of lightness is created by a glass ceiling that is lit from above, counteracting the apparent weight of the street overhead. Images of foliage, leaves and branches
on the glass create an unexpected underground garden with an effect of depth
and light.

eBO Credits
Location: Bologna, Italy
Year: 2003
Commission: Private
Client: Comitato per il padiglione informativo sui progetti per la città
Gross Flor Area: 1.000 mq.

MCA Design Team: Mario Cucinella
Elizabeth Francis
David Hirsch
Elena La vezzo
Davide Paolini
E con Fabio Andreetti, Matteo Lucchi, Andrea Lardosi
Model: Natalino Roveri
Graphic Design: Artemio Croatto e Chiara Caucig Designwork
Multimedia Design: Studio DIM
Lighting Design: Mario Nanni
Structural Engineer: Odine Manfroni MEW
Mechanical Engineers: Studio Isoclima
Electrical Engineers: Studio A&T System
Quantity Surveyor: Giuseppe Capriati
Site Manager: Enrico Iascone
Main Contractor: Adanti
Glass and Metal Works: Longianese
Glass: Guardian Luxguard
Multimedia Installations: Media Services
Lighting Viabizzuno

Bologna Civic offices

Bologna City Council organised a project financing competition in order to choose a design for its new Municipal head office. This project was selected for development. Their intention is to bring together in one efficient complex the various offices and 1,100 employees that are currently located in 21 different buildings scattered throughout the city.

The new building is situated in the Bolognina district on the site of the former fruit and vegetable wholesale market beyond the railway tracks. The project, which also provides space for shops, offices, services and sports facilities, seeks to upgrade the area and re-connect it to the city centre.

The site is developed orthogonally with a north-south orientation.
The design concept is to break down a single mass into three distinct blocks destined for different activities. These are situated along the western edge of the lot in such a way as to form an open square on the Bolognina side.

A combination of open and closed spaces creates a network of new mainly pedestrian paths and streets. Approaching from the south the complex presents parking, shops and then two towers that house the Civic Offices and related child-care and restaurant facilities.

A new public square slopes down from the street serves to give access to the different blocks and to unify them into a harmonious whole. The building façades have been finished with different materials depending on the degree of exposure to the sun. Those most exposed - east and west facing - are finished with a system of inclined sand blasted glass louvers.

All of the blocks benefit from the screening effect of a shading roof which serves the dual purpose of providing solar protection and lending architectural cohesion to the complex. This large single cover is the defining element of the design. It is folded like a giant "origami" that rests gently on the various buildings above a panoramic terrace.

Bologna Civic Office
Location: Bologna, Italy
Year: 2003-2006
Commission: Private
Client: Consorzio Cooperativo Costruzioni
Gross Floor Area: 33.000 mq.

Design Team: MCA Design Team
Mario Cucinella
Elizabeth Francis
David Hirsch
Veronica Baraldi
Stefano Brunelli
Eva Cantwell
Marco Capelli
Cristina Garavelli
Roberta Grassi
Luigi Orioli

Open Project (coordinator)
PCMR
Larry Smith Italia
NIER Ingegneria
Beta Progetti
Structural Engineers: Massimo Majowiecki
Vincenzo Lombardi
Mechanical Engineer: Bruno Versari
Electrical Engineers: Lorenzo Grillo
Gabriele Anatresi
Quantità Surveyor: CESI Spa
Contractors: Consorzio Cooperativo Costruzioni
CEA
CER
CESI Spa
Coop Costruzioni
Adanti Spa
Cogei
Manutencoop

Mario Cucinella Architects

http://www.mcarchitects.it

italian text

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