Claudio Guerrieri

Thesis in Architectural Design

CCCPP - Center for Contemporary Cultures at Porta Portese, Rome

Thesis by Claudio Guerrieri
Sapienza University of Rome - Faculty of Architecture - EU five-year degree thesis 
Speaker: Prof. Luca Reale
Academic Year 2012 - 2013

The area under study is located near the historic center of Rome, bordered by the Gianicolensi Walls with Porta Portese, from which the famous market takes its name, via delle Mura Portuensi and via Portuense. It is largely occupied by a bus depot, an artifact of industrial archaeology, and by its continuous fence that prevents crossing and use, by an area of ​​archaeological interest and by the car park of the Municipal Police, whose structure was a hangar from the Second World War that Hitler gave to Mussolini for his seaplane.
The area is part of a larger intervention project by the Municipality of Rome that includes a pedestrian and environmental enhancement project in the entire area between Via Portuense, Via di Porta Portese, the port of Ripa Grande and the base of the Aventine.
The dialogue with the surrounding landscape is sought without encroachments, eliminating the existing fences that prevent crossing, and seeking comparison with the existing but without camouflage solutions: the use of new materials such as perforated cor-ten steel panels works as a perfect link between past, present and future - the rust color implies a link with the historical pre-existences just as the diamond-pointed ashlar shape of the panels relates to the fortifications -. The original features of the hangar, which is being converted into a cultural center, are preserved, that is, the structure is left completely exposed while the panels inside are covered with backlit translucent white polycarbonate. At night the surface of the hangar becomes a diffuser of artificial light like a lamp. Inside the covered/open space are positioned the containers and other volumes for the various activities connected to each other by pedestrian walkways and terraces with the possibility of being used together or separately.

The redevelopment project proposal includes the recovery and repurposing of the municipal police car park into a Center for Contemporary Cultures at Porta Portese - CCCPP, the construction of temporary residences for artists and cultural operators, and the redevelopment of the open spaces up to the Tiber River. A range of recreational offerings such as the skate park, climbing wall, graffiti wall, children's play area, lawn, and large space for outdoor performances allow local residents to meet through physical activity and games. The continuous paving of the square is 100% permeable and environmentally sustainable, with the use of a special draining concrete that recycles rainwater. The project is completed by a "pedestrian walk" on the historic walls that connects Viale Trastevere to the river and bike-sharing with the cycle workshop.