Urban deserts

In contemporary society, parking lot is seen as a necessary evil, an exclusively functional space that cannot be designed. This thesis’ aim is to rethink parking lots in an architectural manner, in the belief that the main cause of the alienation of these spaces derives from the design surrender rather than from the presence of the cars.

Each area’s project followed a common method consisting of three steps: 1. the definition of a “Pattern” related to the specific project area. This Pattern allows both easy circulation and unitary perception of space (a public square when the space is entirely or partially free from cars); 2. the identification of a “Generic architectural element” that, while repeated, divides the space and gives it back a human measure. This Element gives meaning to the void of the parking lot, as well as an architecture does defining a court; 3. the definition, for each project, of a specific “Built space”, related to the peculiarity of the area. The idea is to transform the serial ed infinitely extendable space of parking lot into a limited collective space, an area identifiable as a unique and singular space in the city. To do this, a different method is used in each project, starting from the use that has been assumed for it. In the Event city the radial Pattern was born as double of the circular sports hall. Then, the Pattern was subdivided into segments by large arched Elements. Finally, the Built space was obtained by mechanical devices that allow to modify the space (from parking to sport grounds, educational workshops or auditorium for shows), using it as parking during major events and for other functions when these events aren’t provided. In the Consumption city, the parking lot was designed as an extension of the commercial function of the building. A trade fair space is built when necessary using scaffolding elements. This structure rests on a Pattern based on the modularity of the industrial building that contains the Eataly’s shop. In the Underground city, finally, the park-and-ride imposes a Pattern that can accommodate means of transport of different size, in a two-way system that accommodates the architectural elements. These elements are composed of two levels: the first and upper is arboreal while the second one lies underground; both levels host artistic objects, allowing the space to function simultaneously as a parking and as a museum.