Contest of ideas.

The theme.
Designing a multipurpose cultural center is one of the most sought-after occasions for an architect.

In fact, it is a set of activities that represent one of the highest levels of civil life: culture, socialization, research, communication, free time, play, and artistic activity. The intent is to overcome the old concept of the library as a sacred and silent place in which to carry out a solitary activity, to give space to the activities listed above.

The functional distribution in the area.
The two buildings (the library and the auditorium) have been located in separate areas (in order to make the construction of two lots easier) but connected by a portico that highlights the possible continuity of the functions. The auditorium has the main west facade facing the center of Samarate and extends along Via Borsi.

Further back is the library which has a circular “tower” that contains the “square”. Large-sized writings contribute to further clarifying the functions. The parking lots are distributed in two areas. the first is located along Via Borsi, between the road and the sidewalk. The second includes the entire western part of the area. The garden, mainly facing south to have sunlight all day, must play an important role in favoring the usability of the place. To achieve this, the green area was organized by “themes”, each of which may be of interest to a different type of user. At the rear of the auditorium building, a courtyard has been set up for loading and unloading scenic equipment with direct access from the street.

The library.
Gli The internal spaces of the library are organized by thematic areas and articulated with distribution schemes and specific furnishings: children and teenagers (the spaces must be delimited by mobile elements to be able to adapt them to real requests; all sectors have direct access to the garden in more sunny areas for the winter and more sheltered areas for the summer), music and images – listening and vision – rehearsal room, the reading room, the study space, the internal services, the closed warehouse, and the laboratory area.

The auditorium.
The auditorium was intended as a “multipurpose room” suitable for hosting conferences, theatrical and musical exercises, and other general activities.

It has been located along Via Borsi with the main facade towards the city center as well. The auditorium is connected to the “Piazza” by a portico (it could be partially closed with windows) and has an independent entrance. The entrance leads to a hall where the cloakroom, public toilets, and the ticket office are located. the room, which holds 300 seats, is divided into two sectors: the first of nine rows is slightly sloping to facilitate visibility. The second is flat also in anticipation of eliminating seating and using the hall with central shows or art exhibitions or dancing parties.

Project team:
Derossi Associati (Pietro, Paolo, Davide Derossi)
Eng. Edoardo Guenzani (structure)
Prodim S.r.l. (technical systems)
Arch. Mario Grosso (bioclimatic)
Contributors: Arch. Anna Licata, Arch. Andrea Bogani.

2008

Contest of ideas