Prepared by Zaha Hadid Architects, the master plan calls for the Napoli Porta Est project. A complex of buildings and a green park are to be built adjacent to the main railway station. Two new tall buildings will be the headquarters of the local authorities.
The concept prepared by Zaha Hadid Architects was the winner of an international competition announced by the municipal authorities in cooperation with the local government of Campania and FS Sistemi Urbani (the revitalisation group of the Italian railways) and the railway operator EAV.
On the plus side, the studio’s project is an attempt to connect the eastern area of Naples with the rest of the city, which is expected to influence the neighbourhood’s sense of security and encourage tourists to explore it. The current barrier of the railway tracks also contributes to physical and psychological barriers among Naples residents. Thoughtful architecture aims to change this.
The eastern part of Naples is characterised by industrial buildings, but many factories have ceased operations, leaving unused spaces. New buildings are to be built in this area with a large urban park. The concept also involves bringing disused railway stations back to life to complement the public transport network.
In total, 30 hectares of abandoned industrial buildings in the Feltrinelli industrial zone are to be metamorphosed. As part of the project, more than 10 hectares of land will be transformed into urban gardens and plazas. It will be a large park planted with trees characteristic of this region of Italy. On the surface, priority will be given to pedestrians and cyclists, and transport will be facilitated by an underground transport interchange.
A distinctive part of the concept is the two skyscrapers. These will serve as the new headquarters of the regional authorities. The lower floors will house public facilities, a conference centre, cinema, shops and restaurants. The office section will be built on the upper floors. The complex will also include a new railway station, a residential area and a pedestrian bridge connecting the site to the existing Centro Direzionale business centre.
The unusual shapes of the tall buildings are not a coincidence. Their form was developed based on an analysis of the movement of the sun. North-facing openings are maximised to allow natural light to penetrate the buildings and enhance views, while direct sunlight is minimised on other facades. Optimising natural light levels reduces the energy requirements for artificial lighting. Buildings are to operate by using natural ventilation. Energy efficiency is also to be improved by green roofs. A total of 7,000 sq m of photovoltaic installation is to be built on the roofs and canopies.
Zaha Hadid Architects’ proposal also points to another 100 hectare area after an obsolete oil depot, which could become a new city district with residential, commercial and retail buildings.
source: Zaha Hadid Architects(https://www.zaha-hadid.com)
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