Dialogue at the Heart of Design

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DIALOGUE AT T H E HEART OF DESIGN Firmly convinced of architecture’s educational and civic roles, architects Simonetta Cenci and Alfonso Femia use dialogue as a design instrument – between citizens and landscape, institutions and regions

by Veronica Lempi - ph. courtesy by Atelier(s) Femia

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hey hold architecture classes for kids and new ways of

the team’s ability to create a close understanding with the region

establishing new dialogues and connections between citizens,

where it is operating. Establishing mutual exchanges between players, human and otherwise – between people and nature, for example – is the philosophy that guides the studio’s activities. It operates, in

Femia and Alfonso Femia, the studio’s founder and CEO, believe

fact, on the basis of “Dialogue as an instrument of design. Design

firmly in the educational power of architecture as an expression

as an instrument of dialogue”.

of civic sense and duty. A beacon lighting the firm’s progress, now

Their success is also down to an untypical but highly regarded

marking the way to three European offices, in Genoa, Milan and

professional approach. “We’re driven by a deep love for architecture”,

Paris. When looking at their projects it’s impossible not to notice

says Cenci, “Art, photography, literature and music are concrete

© AF517 & Diroama AFEMIA

institutions and designers. From the SOUx to the Biennale

dello Stretto, architects Simonetta Cenci, general director of Atelier(s)

The new Porto Corsini terminal in Ravenna, designed as a place for emotional transition in the route leading to embarkation. The facades interact with their surroundings, blending aesthetics, functionality and security.

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Simonetta Cenci, general director of Atelier(s) Femia and Alfonso Femia, the studio’s founder and CEO, both convinced exponents of architecture as a vehicle

© F.Avandero

for education

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© AF517 & Diorama

© Luc Boegly

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elements that feed into our design praxis. We regard dialogue as a

the team is working on, especially for the Linear Park in Trieste. They

substantial part of the design process”.

say the task becomes even more complex when it involves an area that

They implement this approach by complementing their design method

has to blend the physical essence of a place with the intangibility of the

with a serious, in-depth research process developed over the years in

services, as is the case with the Porto Corsini in Ravenna.

theory and in the workshop by investigations in the field, which deepen

Overcoming all these complexities, making the project fully usable

and strengthen the connection between architecture and people.

and integrating it as far as possible with the surrounding landscape,

Protecting and caring for the landscape is a subject that has always been

is a crucial element in Atelier(s) Femia’s work. Generosity as a design

close to heart of the Atelier(s) Femia team. This is clearly demonstrated

feature is the filter that makes it all possible, and is what the Atelier(s)

the Marseilles Docks, Spezia Carrara Terminal and the Reggio Calabria

Femia sees as conceptual innovation. “Living isn’t solely associated

Waterfront projects, evidence of the team’s ability to maintain a healthy

with the home, it extends to the dimensions of collective sharing and

permeability between sea and land, something they are well-equipped

functional hybridisation. Heterogeneity and cross-influencing are aspects

to achieve.

of social and urban enhancement”, says Cenci.

In Cenci’s words, “The waterfronts function because they help renovate

Through the benefit corporation 500x100, the operational arm for

derelict areas like abandoned stretches of the shorefront”. It’s an element

carrying out the studio’s cultural projects, Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia has

To side, the Paris offices of Atelier(s) Femia. Centre, two renders of the project in progress for the Parco Lineare in Trieste. Below, the new BNL-BNP Paribas offices, Rome.

Opposite: above, two images of the Les Docks Marseilles project; below, a render of the New Cruise Terminal at

© Stefano Anzini

© AF517 & Diroama

© Anzini

La Spezia (in progress)

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© Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia

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© Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia

These pages, some images of the HOUSE BOAT

launched a research initiative entitled Mediterranei Invisibili in the

PROTOTYPE project (Miami,

areas around the Strait of Messina, as well as an event, La Biennale

Florida, USA), 2018. This is

dello Stretto, this year in its second edition. “The Mediterranean is

a floating home around 23

changing, the geo-political balances are altering, as are the ports

metres long and 10 metres

and coastlines, and the populations are migrating. The regions are

wide, with zero environmental

evolving, the weather is burning up or flooding different places. Once

impact. It uses purified sea

again, we’re convinced that dialogue is the only way to understand,

water and solar power.

design and improve situations”.

Experts in initiatives that blend land and sea, they have never tested themselves against the task of designing on-board spaces, but the architects admit that it’s an area they find very attractive. Their idea of experiencing the sea has become reality in the “House Boat Prototype” project developed in 2018 in Miami, Florida. It’s a floating residence around 23 metres long and 10 metres wide, with zero environmental impact. It uses purified sea water and is powered by solar energy. In this way they have developed a potential marine project, enabling people to “Live and experience the water, engaging in a constant dialogue with the sea, its variations and its energy values”.

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