Michela Romano+Massimo Dicecca+Marcella Claps+Emanuele Varasi+Anastasia Barasheva+Gianpiero Zaccaria
International planning competition for the development of Linnianemi area comprising Turku Castle, its surroundings and the western bank of the mouth of the Aura River..
W.O.A.H.! is the project acronym for Wide Open Archipelago Hub! The strategy is based on two main concepts: the not strictly hierarchical approach sought in the relationships between the different parts, and the osmotic correlation between built and open space, mobility infrastructures and places of common living.
The project on the margins, both internals and externals, is the WOAH! fundamental theme. The margin is intended primarily as an identity figure. It can also be non-physical or related to the image, conveyed through the new architecture and its negative, the empty space. A margin that can slow down (the timeframe of the proximity space) and give shape (to architectural typologies). The new cityscape dialogues closely with the landscape and both are joined by the topography design. Over time, the topography creates a topology: a series of significant, socially lived, flexible yet well recognizable places. The WOAH! masterplan is divided into ten areas, closely related one another. They mostly develop along the east-west axis, from the mouth of the Aura towards the compact city. The backbone of the settlement strategy is the central part, which develops radially at the foot of the castle.
WOAH! seeks for a coordinate and well balanced strategy, which does not generate disarticulation between the parts and correctly manages the activation and growth times of the various operations, through a step by step annual evolution.
Then there’s the no less important aspect of the overall strategy based mainly on intangible aspects of urban metabolism. WOAH! introduces recycling and reuse practices extended to the various activities. Thus, in addition to the treatment of rainwater (soil and landscape project) and the drastic reduction of C02 emissions (project for new mobility, sustainable construction technologies), the strategy includes numerous complementary actions such as local energy production, attention to the seasonal cycles of nature, digital transition (responsive urban data management).
Authors: Michela Romano+Massimo Dicecca+Marcella Claps+Emanuele Varasi+Anastasia Barasheva+Gianpiero Zaccaria.
Renders: Anja Tricarico+Anastasia Barasheva.
Location: Turku, Finland.
Year: 2020
Competition: International idea competition for Linnanniemi.