designing the new Parco Ovest

Bergamo

Summer School Bergamo 2017

Parco Ovest

Design Results

The task of the Summer School 2017 was to design the 12.5 ha large area of the Parco Ovest in Bergamo. Referred to the design guidelines of the project one important aim of the park is “to realize an important and useful initiative for the overall growth of the landscape culture in Bergamo and Italy.” The newly planned park should be “a good mix” of both a public park implemented into a “peripheral urban context” and an agronomic park including “experimental university research” as well as components attracting visitors and tourists.

The following programme had to be taken into account: - Teaching and research building of 800–1’200 m², expandable up to 2’500–3’000 m², preferably as a single- or two-storey timber construction; - Greenhouse of 800–1’000 m² in glass, including KPɈLYLU[�[LTWLYH[\YL�ZLJ[PVUZ��SHIVYH[VYPLZ�HZ�^LSS�HZ�[OL�VW-portunity for a public bar or restaurant; - Pond or pool using the existing topography and water resources.The main topic of the nine days workshop from 13th to 21st of September was to develop a master plan based on a strong JVUJLW[\HS�HWWYVHJO��6U�[OPZ�IHZPZ�[OYLL�KPɈLYLU[�WYVQLJ[Z�OH]L�been worked out.The following design results have been developed under the supervision and guidance of Prof. Ingrid Schegk, Landscape Architect, Weihenstephan University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Arch. Fulvio Adobati, Università di Bergamo and PhD. Arch. Elisabetta Bianchessi, Bergamo Landscape and Garden Institute.

Project “Soundscape“

Team:Stephen Flack, AustraliaGloria Gusmaroli, Bergamo, ItalyViviana Lavermicocca, Bari, ItalyFarzana Sharmin, BangladeshMaria Sokolova, RussiaAndrea Volpato, Firenze, Italy

General Design ApproachThe general design approach of the project considers the existing potentials like topography, vistas to Bergamo Alta or water bodies as well as existing challenges like the presence of important infrastructure elements such as the highway in the south, the railway in the west and the airport ‘Orio al Serio’ in the southeast. Based on an analysis of Bergamo’s wider green structure, the con-cept proposes to connect the park with the surroundings, respectively with the ecological corridor and agricultural park in the west of the railway embankment.Within this green system, the outstanding characteristic of the new park is its function as a soundscape. The designers propose to shape the noise protection embankments along the highway and along the railway as sound waves. In this southern part of the park, additional noise of the aeroplanes has a high impact. By contrast, the concept suggests for the northern part of the park to make the sound of trees - for instance caused by inner tensions - audible for users and visitors.

Spatial StructureThe Soundscape park is structured in three parts: the public ‘Sound Park’ in the north, the central ‘Agronomical Park’ linked to

the west of the railway by two passages and the ‘Land Art park’ in the south, framed by the topography of the ‘sound waves’ which integrates the institute’s building. Between the Sound Park and the Agronomical Park an extensive humid zone will be developed in the existing depression - reminding of the former river bed in this area. Retaining rain water and connected to the existing ditches, it strengthens the natural impression of the park.Central element in the agronomical part is the so-called º)LS]LKLYL»�� HU� HY[PÄJPHS� OPSS�^OPJO� VɈLYZ� ILH\[PM\S� ]PL^Z� VM� [OL�Città Alta and onto the green houses and community gardens along the railway.The Land Art Park in the south of the area refers to the airport nearby and the view from above. Here, the designers model a sequence of terrain waves. The new research institute with its green roof is an integrated part of this topography.The main structural vegetation typologies are maple groves (Acer platanoides) in the northern part, linden alleys (Tilia tomentosa), hornbeam hedges (Carpinus betulus) in the central part as well as reed beds and humid grasslands along the wetlands.

Concluding AppraisalThe concept of ‘Soundscape’ includes interesting studies about sound respectively noise (of transport infrastructures) and silen-ce (of trees) as well as its perception.The master plan translates the design language of a classical landscape park into a contemporary interpretation, adequate to its peri-urban environment. It points out the existing potentials and challenges of the place in a very suitable and sensitive way.

Project “Parco Sottosopra“

Team:Mohammad Al Najdawi, JordanLoredana Florentina Cirdei, RomaniaClaudia Ferrari, Bergamo, ItalyNino Gavascheli, GeorgiaKsenia Tkacheva, RussiaElene Tsutskiridze, GeorgiaSander Van de Putte, Belgium

General Design ApproachThe main design inspiration for the ‘Parco Sottosopra’ is the (partly L_PZ[PUN��[VWVNYHWO �̀�)L[^LLU�[OL�Ä]L�LU[YHUJLZ�HJJLZZLZ�[V�[OL�park area –two from the urban quarter in the north, one from the east, another one from the west through a new passage under the YHPS^H`�HUK�[OL�ÄM[O�MYVT�[OL�ZV\[OLHZ[��[OL�KLZPNULYZ�MVSK�\W�H�system of gently inclined and steeper slopes and structure the site with longer and shorter axes. Hence, they are creating a variety of interesting Ups and Downs, elevated view points and depressed wetlands and ponds. Cutting the earth bodies of the terrain the H_LZ�KLÄUL�H�OPLYHYJO`�VM�KPɈLYLU[�WH[O^H`Z�MVY�]HYPHISL�ZWLLKZ!�from the faster bicycle route down to narrow wooden walkways across the wetlands.

Spatial StructureThe ‘Parco Sottosopra’ is structured in two main zones: the public park in the northern part and the garden for the institute’s use in the south. Between these two zones an important connection from south-east to north-west is located. It crosses the railway in a broad underpass and links the new park to the cultural landscape in the west of the railway dam and to Bergamo’s green ring.

0U�[OL�JLU[YL�VM� [OL�W\ISPJ�WHYR�H�THPU�ZX\HYL�VɈLYZ�ZWHJL�MVY�various events as well as for calmer ‘all-day’ uses under the shadow of the proposed pine tree grove (Pinus sylvestris). Together with the idea to keep and enlarge the allotment gardens along the railway dam the designing team proposes a neighbourhood market for the products from the gardens on this square. In the southern part the research centre with its inclined green roof and the glass roof of the greenhouse continues the design language of the geometrically shaped topography in the park.The planting design concept strengthens the spatial structure and ^VYRZ�^P[O�KPɈLYLU[�[`WVSVNPLZ!�YV^Z�VM�JVS\TUHY�VHRZ��8\LYJ\Z�robur ‘Fastigiata’) underline the main axes, groves and denser ]LNL[H[PVU�IVKPLZ�KLÄUL�KPɈLYLU[�ZWHJLZ��PUMVYTHS�NYV\WZ�VM�ZPU-gle trees (e.g. Gleditsia triacanthos, Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’, Fagus sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia’) are situated on the inclined lawns. Concluding AppraisalThe ‘Parco Sottosopra’ with the proposed terrain modelling re-ZLTISLZ�HU�VYPNHTP�HY[^VYR��>P[O�KPɈLYLU[� ZSVWLZ�HUK�L_WVZP-tions it creates interesting multifunctional spaces. Combining a contemporary design language with various opportunities for urban recreation activities as well as for natural succession, the design concept promises a strong identity for the place and a real enrichment for this part of the city.

Project “Loop Land Scape”

Team:Niels De Couvreur, BelgiumIrina Mayorova, RussiaReem Hamdan, JordanDavide Manica, Trento, ItalyGiya Elizabeth George, IndiaChiara Gregori, Milano, ItalyMarta Rodeschini, Bergamo, Italy

General Design ApproachBased on a zoning concept respectively on a bubble diagram showing the potentials for future uses in the new park, the KLZPNULYZ�KL]LSVW�H�Z`Z[LT�VM�PU[LYSVJRPUN�LSSPW[PJ�ZWHJLZ�VU�KPɈL-rent terrain levels. In spite of their formal similarity, each ‘loop’ has H�KPɈLYLU[�ZPaL�HUK�P[Z�V^U�JOHYHJ[LY�Also the pathway system follows the principle of the oval loops. Complemented with some ‘fast tracks’ cutting the ellipses, it HSSV^Z�KPɈLYLU[�^H`Z�VM�WLYJLP]PUN�[OL�SHUKZJHWL�

Spatial Structure

In the central part of the park the biggest loop provides a wide free ºNYHZZ�ÄLSK»�LUJSVZLK�I`�H�KV\ISL�SPUL�VM�Z`JHTVYL�[YLLZ��Platanus occidentalis). In the northern part of the park a grid of trees (Fraxinus ornus, Acer rubrum) links the park to the urban ULPNOIV\YOVVKZ��>P[O�WHY[Z�VM�OPNOLY�HUK�SV^LY�KLUZP[`�P[�VɈLYZ�HU�urban space for many uses and activities.Between these two spaces a wetland accompanied by rowan tre-es (Sorbus aucuparia) and a pond underlines the existing depressions of the terrain.

0U�[OL�ZV\[OLYU�WHY[�VM�[OL�WHYR�[^V�ZTHSSLY�SVVWZ�KLÄUL�H�ZOV^�garden and the research garden with the institute’s building and the greenhouse in the middle. Blooming trees (Malus baccata, Pyrus calleryana) enclose the show garden and insert an additional seasonal aspect.The ‘tunnel plaza’ marks a wide opening in the railway dam and connects the ‘loop land scape’ with the agricultural landscape in the west.A light concept for the park picks up the loop idea and proposes an illumination with oval light cones causing sceno-graphic tree-shadows in the central part and an ellipse of pun-ctual light spots in the north.

Concluding AppraisalWith a clear theme and a strong formal approach the designers create an iconic spatial composition which has the potential to be an attraction for neighbours and visitors. The oval open spa-JLZ�VM� [OL� º3VVW�3HUK�:JHWL»�VɈLY�KPɈLYLU[� H[TVZWOLYLZ�HUK�perspectives for daily activities as well as for single events.Relating to the nearby airport and to the view from the aeropla-nes above, the illuminable park could become a real landmark around-the-clock.

Conclusion and Outlook

The Summer School 2017 has deliberately created three very dif-ferent concepts for the new Parco Ovest in Bergamo. Following a leading idea, each of them shows the potentials of the place. Therefore, the workshop and its results can be seen as a succes-sful starting point of an ongoing process. Now, a further analysis of the project area is needed as well as a deeper design research. The three concepts are representing a promising base for the next steps.(Z�H�ÄYZ[�Z[LW�P[�PZ�WSHUULK�[V�WYVK\JL�H�W\ISPJH[PVU�L_WSHPUPUN�[OL�Summer School’s design results. It will be edited by the Summer School teachers in collaboration with the participating universities and the Bergamo Landscape and Garden Institute. One aim of this publication will be to initiate a debate with the city of Bergamo on the future of the ‘Parco Ovest: a challenging project in an emblematic area for the recomposition of the peri-urban con-texts; an important step to strengthen Bergamo, with its environ-mental heritage and history, which “City Landscape””.In the centre VM�[OL�W\ISPJ�WHYR�H�THPU�ZX\HYL�VɈLYZ�ZWHJL�MVY�]HYPV\Z�L]LU[Z�HZ�well as for calmer ‘all-day’ uses under the shadow of the proposed pine tree grove (Pinus sylvestris). Together with the idea to keep and enlarge the allotment gardens along the railway dam the de-signing team proposes a neighbourhood market for the products from the gardens on this square.

PhD. Arch. Elisabetta Bianchessi, Bergamo Landscape & Garden InstituteProf. Ingrid Schegk, Weihenstephan University of Applied Sciences

Prof. Arch. Fulvio Adobati, Università degli Studi di Bergamo

connections

noise

spaces

vegetation

dream

voids

layers

cuttings

vision

COOL_LANDSCAPE SUMMER_SCHOOL_2017

PARCO_OVEST 3_PROJECTS

project area

Bergamo Alta Parco dei Colli

railway

PARCO OVEST

motorway

landing track - Orio al Serio airport

motorway junction

verde pubblico

verde privato

verde agricolo

verde aziendale

parco pubblico

public green

private green

public park

agricultural green

business green

area in edificazione area in construction

greenery types typology of green spaces tipologie di aree verdi

programme/guide lines

▪ 12.50 ha area of Parco Ovest

▪ public park

▪ research and institute area (‚agro-park‘) with: building of 800-1200 m², expandable to

about 2500 to 3000 m² greenhouse of 800-1000 m² pond or pool

PROJECT 1

Stephen Flack, Australia Gloria Gusmaroli, Bergamo, Italy Viviana Lavermicocca, Bari, Italy Farzana Sharmin, Bangladesh Maria Sokolova, Russia Andrea Volpato, Firenze, Italy

PROJECT 2

Mohammad Al Najdawi, Jordan Loredana Florentina Cirdei, Romania Claudia Ferrari, Bergamo, Italy Nino Gavascheli, Georgia Ksenia Tkacheva, Russia Elene Tsutskiridze, Georgia Sander Van de Putte, Belgium

PROJECT 3

Niels De Couvreur, Belgium Irina Mayorova, Russia Reem Hamdan, Jordan Davide Manica, Trento, Italy Giya Elizabeth George, India Chiara Gregori, Milano, Italy Marta Rodeschini, Bergamo, Italy

Analysis and Concept

Visiting Professor: Ingrid Schegk Visiting Professor: Fulvio Adobati

Scientific Director: Elisabetta Bianchessi Project Manager and Coordinator: Domenico Piazzini

Coordinator: Lorenzo Rebediani

Designers: Stephen Flack - Gloria Gusmaroli - Viviana Lavermicocca

Farzana Sharmin - Maria Sokolova - Mohammad Al Najdawi Loredana Florentina Cirdei - Claudia Ferrari - Nino Gavascheli – Chiara Gregori

Ksenia Tkacheva - Elene Tsutskiridze - Sander Van de Putte Andrea Volpato - Niels De Couvreur - Irina Mayorova

Reem Hamdan - Davide Manica - Giya Elizabeth George - Marta Rodeschini