dap studio + paola giaconia: cultural center in ranica

‘cultural center in ranica’ by dap studio + paola giaconia, bergamo, italy images courtesy of alessandra bello

the city of ranica, in the province of bergamo, italy, recently inaugurated its new cultural center. the project, designed by dap studio and paola giaconia, is the outcome of a competition launched by the municipality in 2005 to endow the town with an important institution that would augment its cultural and social life. the recently opened center was completed in less than two years of construction, and represents a new cultural and urbanistic beacon in the territory, laying the foundations for an alternative urban organization.

thanks to this new building, the medieval town is able to revitalize its historical urban fabric by fastening it to a new contemporary hub, capable of nourishing the surrounding territory. in its devotion to culture and cultural enrichment, the institution plays a fundamental role in defining the spaces for the community.

entrance courtyard

the cultural center is conceived as a new catalyst of urban life, not only as a laboratory for education and information, but it also a place where people can meet and where citizens can reinforce their sense of belonging to their territory.

entrance

the building – housing a public library, an auditorium, a kindergarten, and a school for dance and theater- is made of two volumes, one laid on top of the other, centering an interior courtyard capturing natural light and attracting pedestrians. the building hosts a new ‘piazza’, a new meeting point for the citizens. in this sense, the project for the new cultural center reconceives the ground. beginning at grade, the building establishes new links with the city and makes its presence felt as it rises two floors above the ground.

the architects explain, ‘the piazza has always been defined in history by the physical and visual limits of the buildings that surround it – with our project – we wanted to blur the sharp distinction between solid and void. we opened up the building to the city and welcomed pedestrian flows up to its very core.’

west facade

it maintains harmony with the surrounding landscape, which inspired its design, through predominantly horizontal lines at the floor and ceiling planes of each volume. the lower volume is transparent, revealing the activities which take place inside to passersby, stirring their curiosity. the upper volume sits on its top and becomes an urban signal. translucent polycarbonate sheets glow with vibrant tints and allow the silhouettes of people to be seen through the colorful watery facade.

south facade

snow-white and sober interiors reveal a complexity which endows the spaces and the activities taking place in them with a powerful dynamism. various functional areas appear as independent volumes, connected by means of elevated catwalks and visually linked to the central courtyard. the interior spaces become a representation of a lively urban scene where the vast double height spaces are entwined and continuously intersecting.

courtyard

library reference area

interior

reading spaces on the upper floor

inner courtyard

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.we have already acquired many submissions, so keep on the lookout for more of your projects to be published in the coming days!