The Morgana Effect - Waterfront | Messina
Messina, Italy
TITLE
Design competition for the redevelopment of the Santa Cecilia waterfront, a new Service Center, and an eco-sustainable neighborhood in Messina.
CLIENT
Municipality of Messina, within the framework of the “Ports and Stations” program
TYPE OF INTERVENTION
Urban Renovation
SURFACE
828.200 mq
STATE
Project
It is difficult, in Messina, to develop a new waterfront proposal without considering its historic seafront, its remarkable amphitheater-like shape, its Palazzata and past projects, as well as the imagery and myths surrounding the Strait.
The new waterfront project in the S. Cecilia area deliberately seeks a relationship with the historic promenade, envisioning an urban policy capable of restoring its former quality. The historic waterfront must be returned to the city as a grand public space and as a seaside promenade.
A mirage that becomes reality An idea long imagined, now taking form concrete, visible, within reach.
The new waterfront seeks to connect with the historic one based on a principle of continuity of public spaces and pedestrian and cycling paths.
The project is based on a notion of the waterfront as a complex infrastructural system, made up of multiple interconnected networks: a network of public space with pedestrian and cycling paths linking the two waterfronts; an environmental network that, starting from the new urban park planned on the disused railway areas, penetrates the city and reconnects with the environmental corridors of the Falcata area and the surrounding hills.
The environmental and infrastructural network of the coast is thus reorganized in order to create a true integrated system.
The concept envisions two waterfronts interconnected by Angiolo Mazzoni’s maritime station which, relieved of its original role as a maritime-rail terminal, becomes a true interchange hub between two parts of the city. The entire waterfront system originates from the architectural arc of Mazzoni’s station, elevated to the status of an urban landmark and conceived as the “gateway” to Messina’s new seafront. From this central element—whose new function is intended as a museum space—all other components unfold, starting with the service center, designed as a new urban focal point.
Key drivers of change include the marina and beach facilities, the new front of the consolidated city, the eco-district, and the new passenger station. In this sense, the waterfront is not simply identified with the seafront promenade, but is articulated through a variety of intervention areas, creating a complex system of mediation between the city and the sea.
Credits
DESIGN ARCHITECTS Guendalina Salimei – Tstudio
URBAN PLANNING Rosario Pavia
MARINE ENGINEERING Thetis s.p.a.
ENERGY ENGINEERING Transsolar/klima engineering
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Malearc
ARCHEOLOGIST Alessandra Maniaci, Stefania Faro
ANTHROPOLOGIST Marilena Maffei
GEOLOGIST Mario Cacciato Insilla
OTHER CONSULTANCY Leonardo Santoro
STRUCTURES VIA ingegneria
3D Views
TStudio
Marucci, G. (a cura di), Naturalmente… architettura. Di Baio: Milano 2013, pp. 141-143.
Salimei, G., Waterfront Messina. In: “Metamorfosi Quaderni di architettura” n. 4. Lettera Ventidue: Siracusa 2018, pp. 24-27.
Salimei, G., Tstudio - City Landscape. Ilios: Bari 2012, pp 78-89.
Esposto a La Biennale dello Stretto 2022, direttore Alfonso Femia, Forte Batteria Siacci, Italia.
The Morgana Effect - Waterfront | Messina
Messina, Italy
TITLE
Design competition for the redevelopment of the Santa Cecilia waterfront, a new Service Center, and an eco-sustainable neighborhood in Messina.
CLIENT
Municipality of Messina, within the framework of the “Ports and Stations” program
TYPE OF INTERVENTION
Urban Renovation
SURFACE
828.200 mq
STATE
Project
It is difficult, in Messina, to develop a new waterfront proposal without considering its historic seafront, its remarkable amphitheater-like shape, its Palazzata and past projects, as well as the imagery and myths surrounding the Strait.
The new waterfront project in the S. Cecilia area deliberately seeks a relationship with the historic promenade, envisioning an urban policy capable of restoring its former quality. The historic waterfront must be returned to the city as a grand public space and as a seaside promenade.
A mirage that becomes reality An idea long imagined, now taking form concrete, visible, within reach.
The new waterfront seeks to connect with the historic one based on a principle of continuity of public spaces and pedestrian and cycling paths.
The project is based on a notion of the waterfront as a complex infrastructural system, made up of multiple interconnected networks: a network of public space with pedestrian and cycling paths linking the two waterfronts; an environmental network that, starting from the new urban park planned on the disused railway areas, penetrates the city and reconnects with the environmental corridors of the Falcata area and the surrounding hills.
The environmental and infrastructural network of the coast is thus reorganized in order to create a true integrated system.
The concept envisions two waterfronts interconnected by Angiolo Mazzoni’s maritime station which, relieved of its original role as a maritime-rail terminal, becomes a true interchange hub between two parts of the city. The entire waterfront system originates from the architectural arc of Mazzoni’s station, elevated to the status of an urban landmark and conceived as the “gateway” to Messina’s new seafront. From this central element—whose new function is intended as a museum space—all other components unfold, starting with the service center, designed as a new urban focal point.
Key drivers of change include the marina and beach facilities, the new front of the consolidated city, the eco-district, and the new passenger station. In this sense, the waterfront is not simply identified with the seafront promenade, but is articulated through a variety of intervention areas, creating a complex system of mediation between the city and the sea.
Credits
DESIGN ARCHITECTS Guendalina Salimei – Tstudio
URBAN PLANNING Rosario Pavia
MARINE ENGINEERING Thetis s.p.a.
ENERGY ENGINEERING Transsolar/klima engineering
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Malearc
ARCHEOLOGIST Alessandra Maniaci, Stefania Faro
ANTHROPOLOGIST Marilena Maffei
GEOLOGIST Mario Cacciato Insilla
OTHER CONSULTANCY Leonardo Santoro
STRUCTURES VIA ingegneria
3D Views
TStudio
Marucci, G. (a cura di), Naturalmente… architettura. Di Baio: Milano 2013, pp. 141-143.
Salimei, G., Waterfront Messina. In: “Metamorfosi Quaderni di architettura” n. 4. Lettera Ventidue: Siracusa 2018, pp. 24-27.
Salimei, G., Tstudio - City Landscape. Ilios: Bari 2012, pp 78-89.
Esposto a La Biennale dello Stretto 2022, direttore Alfonso Femia, Forte Batteria Siacci, Italia.