Spazio Nivola

The analysis of the criticalities of a broader territory and the identification of a development hypothesis based on a strong cultural identity led to the elaboration of Spazio Nivola. This realistic program was translated into a design proposal for a new pole for art and craft production in Orani and an intervention in a residual area of the urban edge.

Spazio Nivola wants to propose a new cultural pole for art and craft production with the main goal of creating a pivotal point for the whole reality of Barbagia and addressing the current problems of Orani. This is the reason why the intervention is focused on the area adjacent to the Museo Nivola and the fringe of the old urban fabric. The project is conceived as an integration of new architectures and residual areas regenerated through the improvement of the main pathways, the extension of the existing park of the museum, and the transformation of abandoned ruins and urban voids into places for art and small craft activities. In this system of cultural services and public spaces, the new buildings are located outside the town with a paratactic composition. It follows that all these volumes are rotated according to a constructive reference in Orani and determine a new masterplan capable of capturing the specificities of the place and enhancing them. Some of Nivola’s sculptures are arranged along the main pathways and represent spatial and identity references for the entrances to the new art and craft laboratories. The orientation of these sculptural bodies participates together with the architectural elements in the definition of those spaces. The stereotomic plaza welcomes the different realities of the laboratories, whose common spaces are characterized only by autonomous and punctual elements. These architectural parts contain in their cavities the physical plant systems and make the area flexible for its use as a workspace or as a hall of art and exhibition events. These elements also play a structural role in supporting the roof. On the one hand, this coffered roof contains the physical plant systems; on the other hand, its geometry underlines the paratactic character of its supports, mindful of Nivola’s stones. In this way, the cultural and civic life of the whole community is welcomed in this space where artistic or craft works become elements that define the spatial character. Spazio Nivola is thus designed as a receptacle capable of enhancing the identity values of Orani and the region of Barbagia.