Master's Degree Thesis Project I From 0 to 78: Experiencing Acquacalda on the footprints of Pumice

| FROM 0 TO 78: EXPERIENCING ACQUACALDA ON THE FOOTPRINTS OF PUMICE | 1

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POLITECNICO DI MILANO

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE URBAN PLANNING CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING A.A 2017-2018

PUMICE INDUSTRIAL SITES IN LIPARI: VALORIZATION PROJECT IN THE FRAMEWORK OF UNESCO GEOPARK

FROM 0 TO 78: EXPERIENCING ACQUACALDA ON THE FOOTPRINTS OF PUMICE

SARA IPAKCHI DHAARINI RAJKUMAR MOHAMMAD.H.JAMSHIDI.M PROF. STEFANIA VARVARO PROF. ROSSANA GABAGLIO

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CONTENT 07 ABSTRACT 09 SITE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN STRATEGY 23 INTERVENTION PROJECT 101 DECAY ANALYSIS AND 101 CONSERVATION PROJECT 119 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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ABSTRACT

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L’UNESCO ha proposto l’isola di Lipari come uno dei punti nodali del geoparco delle Isole Eolie. L’industria della pomice rappresenta infatti uno dei caratteri distintivi dell’isola di Lipari che ben si inserisce nella più ampia cornice del geoparco atta a valorizzare gli aspetti geologici, vulcanologici e naturalistici, motivo dell’iscrizione Unesco nella Wold Heritage List. Il sito di Acquacalda – nella parte nord di Lipari - è stato scelto per le potenzialità che i grandi silos per l’accumulo di pomice e tutto il complesso produttivo lungo la strada offrono, individuando nella riconversione a parco post-industriale e museo all’aperto uno scenario possibile, a servizio della collettività. Le strategie individuano prima di tutto interventi a larga scala come il miglioramento della qualità dei percorsi veicolari esistenti e l’introduzione di una rete di percorsi di trekking per collegare i principali siti industriali e connetterli alle cava di pomice e al mare. Nello specifico di Acquacalda gli interventi progettuali prevedono una sequenza di giardini nei silos esistenti, collegati da una serie di percorsi a diversi livelli. Questo progetto vuole dare l’opportunità di sperimentare le diverse qualità degli spazi passando dal livello 0 del mare fino ai 78 metri del piano di cava. Il progetto mira a portare vitalità nella parte settentrionale di Lipari a conservare e valorizzare il patrimonio industriale dell’isola mediante un consapevole progetto di trasformazione.

UNESCO has proposed that the island of Lipari is one of the nodal points of the Aeolian Islands geopark system. The pumice industry is, in fact, one of the distinctive features of Lipari island that fits well into the wider geopark frame designed to enhance the geological, volcanological and naturalistic aspects, the reason for the Unesco inscription in the World Heritage List. Accordingly, the site of Acquacalda - located in the north of Lipari which includes the pumice silos- has been chosen to transform the existing buildings into a post-industrial park and open-air museum. Strategies vary from large-scale interventions like improving the quality of the existing vehicular paths and introducing a network of trekking paths in order to connect the main industrial sites to both, the pumice quarry and the sea. In the meantime, the architectural interventions include a sequence of gardens that have been inserted into the existing silos, which users will experience through a set of pathways at different levels. Lastly, there are several interior architectural interventions that aim to improve the quality of space. This project would, thus, provide an opportunity for users to experience different qualities of spaces while moving from the 0 level beside the sea up to 78 meters on top of the quarry in mountains. The project aims at bringing vitality to the northern portion of Lipari and to preserve the industrial heritage of the island by means of adaptive reuse of the existing infrastructure.

Keywords: Parole Chiave: Acquacalda, Pumice, Post-Industrial, Sequence, Acquacalda , Pomice , Post-Industriale, Museo Open air museum, Geopark, Garden all’Aperto, Geoparco, Giardino 7

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01 SITE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN STRATEGY

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MAIN CHALLENGES OF THE ISLAND GENERAL PROPOSAL AS A MEAN TO SAVE THE LIPARI ISLAND Lipari being one of the largest of the Aeolian islands, has many special places that can be interesting to explore and enjoy. However, when it comes to the idea of the island as a geopark, there are a few challenges that render the exploration and preservation of the island as a disengaging and a discontinuous process. A general analysis-study of the island helps us note the reasons for this:

As a near solution to these issues, the proposal of a Geopark gives a framework to mainly protect, preserve and elevate the quality of tourism in the island as a whole.

The main strategies of the Geopark are based on the ideologies of bridging the gap between and coherence of the cultural, natural and industrial heritage in a way such that it builds a base for functional and useful tourism. The aim of a Geopark in the island could be classified into two aspects.

Firstly, to preserve the existing natural and cultural heritage and make them more connected and accessible thus showcasing them in better light. Secondly, to unveil to the outside the most distinctive feature of the island – the abandoned pumice industrial system. The proposal includes ways to adaptively re-use the existing buildings in this system to preserve and augment this characteristic feature which cannot be found on any other island in the Aeolian archipelago.

DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION AND THE DISCONNECTIVITY This has become one of the main issues found in the island. There are a few main towns in the island, but due the difficult geographic and topographic conditions, we see that these towns are partially or poorly connected from each other. This poses as an issue when the general accessibility of the island is considered.

WARM AND COLD SEASONS This poses as one of the main obstacles for tourism. This issue is a very general and common one, but there are extremely rare facilities or provisions in the island which promote outdoor activities, especially during winter. This, in turn, has an effect on tourism and hence, this can be underlined as another main issue.

PRESERVING THE HERITAGE It has been identified that there is no definitive framework that helps to preserve the existing cultural, mineralogic and archaeologic heritages as a collective. The main archaeological museum ‘Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano’ is an initiative to preserve and showcase the archaeologic and cultural heritage, but little to no efforts have been taken to preserve the industrial and mineralogic heritage that exist in the form of pumice quarries and volcano craters.

THE VAST VARIATION IN DAY AND NIGHT LIFE The average age of the population residing in the island might be one of the main reasons for this. The main towns of the island seem to quieten down after sunset and as mentioned before, there are not many facilities that are open during nights that would attract people.

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MAIN CHALLENGES

DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION

WARM/COLD SEASON

PRESERVE HERITAGE

DAY/NIGHT LIFE

GENERAL STRATEGIES FOR REVITALIZATION OF THE ISLAND Inserting New Functions

Preserving Industrial Buildings

INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE Preserving Nature

Museum

NATURAL HERITAGE

CULTURAL HERITAGE Research Center

Warm Season

Cultural Center

Island as a Geopark

Research Education TOURISM

Tourists

Cold Season More Money

More Develpoment

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Outdoor Events

Beach Facilities

Bars Restaurants

LIPARI ISLAND GEOPARK FROM GEOPARK PATH TO THE FOOTPRINTS OF PUMICE

After analyzing the main challenges faced by the island, strategies specific to these issues were formulated in the framework of a Geopark. The whole Geopark in the island of Lipari is a way to protect and enhance the existing naturalistic and geological sites in the island, as well as to preserve and valorize the abandoned buildings of the Pumice Industrial System.

In order to achieve and implement these two different scales of ideas, a general urban framework was mapped out as well as a focal network that concentrates on valorizing the industrial heritage has been devised.

On an urban level, the proposal consists of developing and improving the overall transport system, which makes it easy for the users to travel through the island. The most important sites have been mapped and categorized and various functions that are useful to improving tourism have been added.

The next step involves devising a new system of valorized abandoned buildings in the North-East quarter of the island and the more focal level involves making of entire town of Acquacalda more vibrant, functional and publicly usable while at the same time trying to preserve and highlight the pumice factory in its original essence.

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Lipari island human settelments scattering

Location of pumice quarries

Acquacalda pumice industry in relation to small quarry

Main vehicular path

System of trekking paths in relation to the main vehicular path

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Aerial view of the North-East quarter of the Lipari island

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TRAVELLING THROUGH THE NORTH-EAST QUARTER OF LIPARI ISLAND EXPLORING PUMICE INDUSTRIAL SITES The North-East quarter of the island houses the most distinguished feature of Lipari that has not yet been showcased to the outside world– The abandoned buildings and quarries of the Pumice industrial system. This system consists of 11 sites starting from Ghiozzo in the East Coast to San Gaetano in the North. The proposal in this quarter of the island, becomes more specific to the exploration and preservation of these industrial sites. A pedestrian pathway dedicated just for connecting these sites forms a main part of the proposal. The path has been visualized as an extension to the existing main road and owing to height from the sea level, this pedestrian path, called as ‘The Pumice Path’ thus forms a panoramic pathway along the North-East quarter of the island.

The abandoned buildings in this system, are all, or mostly located on the coast, and thus the access to these sites themselves become a landscaped-trekking path to the sea. In some cases, like Porticello and Acquacalda, this condition is further extended and we can have direct accessibility to the Pumice quarries. This feature renders these two sites to become the most important and largest systems in the pumice production industry.

In order to make the abandoned buildings in this system to be re-used, the proposal consists of developing them for certain functions dedicated to preserving and publicly utility. They are classified into 4 categories: 1. Industrial Interventions - to showcase and preserve the memory and quality of these spaces.

2. Socio-cultural Interventions - to become spaces that openly and freely be used by the public.

3. Hospitality + Sport interventions – to increase housing facilities for tourists and make use of the sea for water sports activities.

4. Landscape Interventions - to explore, relax, stay and enjoy the various amazing views that the island has to offer.

This North-East portion of the Geopark in the island has, thus, been devised in such a way that it blends both the aims - to preserve and enhance the qualities of spaces that these abandoned buildings offer us, by making them more publicly usable and by providing a compact and simple accessibility network.

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View to the existing condition of Acquacalda Industrial site

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BRIEFE SUMMARY OF ACQUACALDA PUMICE INDUSTRIAL SITE ITALPOMICE S.P.A FACTORY. The town of Acquacalda is located in the northern coast of Lipari. This town houses one of the oldest pumice factories – Italpomice S.P.A. The industrial site in Acquacalda is distinguished from the other sites due to two main reasons: Its direct access to Sciare dell’Arena which is the Small Pumice Quarry, and its open storage deposits. The scale and depth of these deposits give this site the most special quality which is not found in any of the other industrial sites.

The factory of Italpomice S.P.A consisted of traditional quarrying procedures – pumice arrives from the quarry through a network of conveyor belts – It is ground to various sizes in huge machines at the top of the silos – Is dropped down into the four different deposits – Is transferred to be manually worked on and researched – Is packed and made ready for shipping. This process becomes very evident during the exploration of the factory site and efforts have been made to preserve the idea of this process in the design.

There is a varying degree in the scale of spaces in this factory site in the present conditions. We have spaces which are: - completely open and frame sky and which are closed and dark and small configurations.

- spaces which are low and appropriate to human scale and spaces that are so huge that the importance of human presence is taken away, - spaces underground and spaces at the extreme top with a panoramic view to the sea.

While these are the qualities found in the interior of the factory site, the exterior is configured in a way that it makes the industry blend in with the residential fabric of the town. The façade matches the scale and height of the surrounding buildings. Although the site is in a huge scale, the permeability and the entrances are found to be extremely humble, narrow and small.

These contrasting qualities are what make this site special like no other.

Another interesting feature of this factory site is its location – in between the sea and quarry. In earlier days, this was a strategy that made the process of pumice production easy from quarrying to shipping, but in its present condition, this enables the site to become a part of the journey from the sea to the quarry or vice versa. The factory site of Acquacalda thus becomes a focal point in the passage between the sea to the quarry.

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Old photo of the small quarry on top of the Acquacalda pumice industry.

View to the existing condition of Acquacalda Industrial site 18

The old pier for loading pumice products on ships to export

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MASTERPLAN STRATEGY RECONNECTING NODAL POINTS As a strategy, the project aimed to provide two sorts of connection throughout the site. Firstly, connection is to link the coastline horizontally by inserting a continuous walkway which mostly works as an extension to the existing vehicular path to provide a safe and scenery walk. Additionally, the valorization of the main four sites of Viewing platforms along the vehicular path, Acquacalda industrial site, Piazza, and San Gaetano industrial site will be simultaneous goes on.

By doing this, users will experience a safe walk along the vehicular path that takes them through different potentialities of the Acquacalda.

Second connection will link the three main sites of Acquacalda industrial site, Viewing platforms and Piazza to the Small Quarry. As a result, users will have the opportunity to experience the different landscapes from sea level at 0 meters to 78 meters at the top of the quarry. In the meantime, they will have the chance to explore and admire the natural condition inside the quarry. Since the Acquacalda has several vertical connections which are a dead end and disconnected to the trekking paths inside the mountains, project proposal focused on to regenerate these connections to provide a circulation. In the meantime, improving the existing pathways will be followed up by adding several pieces of handrails in the middle, adding signage and reshaping the ground to facilitate and guide the users to have a safe journey through the mountains.

This reconnection makes the users experience various heights and views over the industrial site and landscape. Meanwhile, they have the chance to walk on the footprints of the industrial process of making pumice. Users will face this process from its starting point of extraction from the quarry, carrying them through the system of belt conveyors till depositing them inside silos and making them ready to be loaded on the ships.

Acquacalda has a high level of fabric complexity.

Industrial sites, natural landscape, human settlements, and artificial interventions have made an interesting morphology and inseparable fabric. Walking in different heights makes users able to understand this level of complexity. Meanwhile, inside this circulation, a system of several viewpoints and lookouts has been developed that let users stop to appreciate the endless beauty of nature and the infinite sea, while they have the chance to look at some of the Aeolian islands.

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Important architectural elements along the coast

Horizontal connection along the coast as the first strategy

Vertical connection to provide accessibility from 0m to 78m

Existing Vehicular path in relation to trekking paths

Additional trekking paths to provide a pedestrian circualtion

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02 INTERVENTION PROJECT

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LARGE SCALE INTERVENTIONS

After analyzing the main challenges faced by the island, strategies specific to these issues were formulated in the framework of a Geopark. The whole Geopark in the island of Lipari is a way to protect and enhance the existing naturalistic and geological sites in the island, as well as to preserve and valorise the abandoned buildings of the Pumice Industrial System.

In order to achieve and implement these two different scales of ideas, a general urban framework was mapped out as well as a focal network that concentrates on valorising the industrial heritage has been devised.

On an urban level, the proposal consists of developing and improving the overall transport system, which makes it easy for the users to travel through the island. The most important sites have been mapped and categorised and various functions that are useful to improving tourism have been added.

The next step involves devising a new system of valorised abandoned buildings in the North-East quarter of the island and the more focal level involves making of entire town of Acquacalda more vibrant, functional and publicly usable while at the same time trying to preserve and highlight the pumice factory in its original essence.

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Aerial view of the existing condition of North-East quarter of the Lipari island

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S2 Using the gentle slope of the mountain to give different levels of sidewalk.

S4 Extension of road as a sidewalk.

S6 Extending the bridge and also using the possibility to give a sidewalk at a higher level.

S8 Adding a sidewalk closer to vegetation.

S10 Adding a suspended platform as a safer path for pedestrians

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S3 Sidewalk differentiated from the road by a level.

S5 Transforming the existing tunnel into a sidewalk.

S7 Using the artificial mountain to dig in the sidewalk, to be at a different level from the road.

S9 Replacing the steep and uncomfortable way to a viewpoint, by more gradual way leading closer to the water, giving views at different levels.

S11 Transforming the existing platform beside the road by removing tetrapods and enabling pedestrians to get closer to the water.

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A - VIEWPOINT - VIEW TO SCOGLIO DEI MONACI

B - CANAL 0 A SECRET TREKKING PATH TO QUARRY

C - POST INDUSTRIAL THEME GARDENS

C - PIAZZA - OPEN PUBLIC PARK + PIER

E - SAN GAETANO - THERMAL BATH

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MID-SCALE INTERVENTIONS FROM 0-78m EXPERIENCING ACQUACALDA ON THE FOOTPRINTS OF PUMICE The focus of the project is about reconnecting the small quarry, viewing platforms, and the piazza to the focal point of the project which is the industrial site of Acquacalda. In the existing condition, there are several vertical paths that have been ineffective.

As a result, a system of trekking paths is proposed to reform connections between different important sites of the north portion to the quarry. By doing this a new system of circulation will be shaped that makes users able to go through the entire site and experience different levels from 0 meters on the coastal line to 78m on top of the quarry.

All of the trekking paths that go to quarry have been marked by a piece of Corten sheet on the ground. Additionally, in several parts trekking paths partly marked by simple one-sided handrails. Hence, users will find it easy to follow this system of signage to go through the mountain and find their ways to reach the quarry.

One of the exciting experiences in Acquacalda is the mostly flat space of the quarry itself. The main trekking path that goes to quarry stops when users reach the flat portion of the quarry. As a result, users will find themselves free to explore different corners of the quarry. Meanwhile, three parts marked by simple one-sided handrails. These three spots lead users to experience cracks of the quarry and stay on or go in between of them and appreciate the natural shape of the mountain. The third one can bring users to the highest level of the quarry. Hence, users will reach the height of 78 meters that makes them able to enjoy the panoramic view of the island as well as the depth of the quarry below them.

Following the trekking paths, users will explore the site through the footprints of conveyor belts that used to bring extracted stones of the quarry to the silos in order to store. They would also be able to follow up the pumice path to the tunnels and its way up on to the pier which has existed in front of the building.

Consequently, users will follow up the complete process of excavation to loading the final product to ships in order to be exported. Experiencing Aquacalda from 0-78m on the footprints of pumice will lead users to understand what was happening inside the industrial parts of this island besides having joyful moments using facilities of open-air museum.

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0.0 meters Stay at the coastline and enjoy the beach while you can use the BEACH FACILITY.

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40.1m Walking on the SIDEWALK of the road and stay at the LOOKOUT to see the system of Acquacalda industrial site.

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60.2m CORTEN PLATFORM over the cracks of the PUMICE QUARRY.

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78m An extended PANORAMA view of Acquacalda and LOOKOUTS which eyes on the COAST and the QUARRY.

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Viewpoint

Hostel

Museum

Info point

Beach Facility

Market

Gathering Hall

Cafe/Bar

Restaurant

Garden

Fishing

Water Sports

Trekking

Landscape Steps

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Section through the piazza and the pier in front

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View from the sequence of pathways that leads people from high roads till the viewing platforms on the sea.

East view from the platforms.

View of the existing condition of the plat- Beach view of the platforms and the existforms. ing walls that has been used for landing on beach.

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Section from the front building of Acquacalda, the beach facility and its extended deckSection

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View of the extension deck in front of the main building of Acquacada that provides the possibility to stay and admire sea and the facade.

Street view in front of industrial site

Stone beach in front of Multiuse space

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View from the street, looking toward viewing platforms

Section from the sequence of stepped pathways and viewing platforms on the sea

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View of the Piazza, the new system of seatings and green space in addition to the viewing deck on top of the piazza and at the starting point of the trekking path.

Abononed space of piazza in front of Relation of piazza and the coastal vehic- Relation of piazza and the pier. pier. ular path.

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ARCHITECTURAL-SCALE INTERVENTIONS Acqucalda industrial site basically made up of four silos to deposit pumice and a sequence of front buildings in relation to several voids. This project aim is to valorize this industrial site by transforming it into an open-air museum. The open-air museum proposed to be a sequence of THEME GARDENS. Gardens space have the role to intensify the existing qualities of the silos. Although users are free to explore the site in their way, they would have the opportunity to experience the sequence of gardens by means of a storytelling pathway. In general, the pathway will take users from the entrance point to top of the spine of the silos and the viewing tower as well.

According to the pathway, the first garden is DRY GARDEN. This garden is almost empty except a few dried out tall trees. The goal is to let users feel the emptiness and the sense of being enclosed by high walls of the silos. Dry tall trees will also emphasize the height. Pathway just takes users to the very end point of the silo to let them perceive the entity of space. In the meantime, the have the chance to find a secret green space which is called SECRET GARDEN. The second garden is WATER GARDEN which has been filled up of water inside a dark pool. The aim of this garden is to emphasize the presence of sky in the frames of the high walls of the silo. As a result, users will experience the presence of two skies, the one above and the reflection inside water. From this garden, users will climb up of the stairs that will bring them to the next garden by passing the wall through a threshold.

The third garden which is called GREEN GARDEN is a place to be lost. The complexity of this industrial site and its relationship with landscape makes it hard to be figured out and at its first sight, people may find it confusing. GREEN GARDEN aimed to be confusing and let the users to be lost inside. There are several possibilities and scenarios to explore. Climbing up the stairs to the next level and continue your journey, climbing down to the ground and continue your path, going back to water garden from ground level or even seating on the landscape. This will increase the possibilities and intensify the quality of complexity.

The last garden has dedicated to the main feature of these silos which is the depot of pumice. PUMICE GARDEN has been filled up of pumice powder to make dunes of this extremely soft product. Users have the opportunity to play, jump and have fun in the pool of pumice.

Exploded diagram of the whole system of an experiential pathway inside silos. This system provides a continuous path that helps users to explore the sequence of theme gardens inside the pumice silos.

Users have the opportunity to conceive the existing infrastructure in relation to the new architectural interventions.

The isometric illustration of the complete system of Acquacalda industrial site’s buildings in relation to the extension of the main vehicular path. The extension which shaped on the rooftop of the beach facility aims to provide an open space in front of Acquacalda buildings and urge users to admire the vastness of the sea.

Sectional isometric of the Acquacalda industrial site, representing the complex system of the plan. This complex system includes several open, semi-open and enclosed space. Design project aims to incorporate all the potential of the space to gain an enriched user experience.

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WATER GARDEN

DRY GARDEN

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PATHWAY

ISOMETRIC VIEW OF DRY/WATER GARDEN

DRY GARDEN is aimed to emphasize the effect of EMPTINESS. The second garden is WATER GARDEN which its main role is to emphasize the presence of SKY inside the borders of silo walls. The relation of the pathway system has been indicated by a CORTEN sheet which has been inserted inside the asphalt to mark the narrow entrance.

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THE DRY GARDEN

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DRY GARDEN is a contradictory mixture to emphasize the SILOs as a single entity. The absence of any green element will help users to admire the SILOs itself.

At the end of the first silo is the very first point that users have the possibility to conceive the sense of being enclosed inside the high walls of the silos. The WOODEN PLATFORM and its minimalistic stone seats are where you find yourself inside the system of pumice industry.

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Ů?THE THRESHOLD

DRY GARDEN has two large opening toward the Silo behind which has been called PUMICE GARDEN. Two large openings have been treated as a THRESHOLD, where you can feel the THICKNESS of the wall while you have a visual connection to the PUMICE GARDEN.

THE SUNKEN WALKWAY

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DRY GARDEN has two large opening toward the Silo behind which has been called PUMICE GARDEN. Two large openings have been treated as a THRESHOLD, where you can feel the THICKNESS of the wall while you have a visual connection to the PUMICE GARDEN.

THE WATER GARDEN

WATER GARDEN is the second silo based on the pathway narrative. Complexity inside this silo is more due to change in the level of the pathway and its rotation around the periphery of the silo to make the users able to see every corner of it. The endpoint of the WATER GARDEN at a few meters above the ground pathway equipped with an extended WOODEN PLATFORM.

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GREEN GARDEN

PUMICE GARDEN

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PATHWAY

ISOMETRIC VIEW OF GREEN/PUMICE GARDEN

GREEN GARDEN is aimed to emphasize the vastness of the site and intensify the sense of BEING LOST. The next garden is PUMICE GARDEN which the entire space has been filled up of PUMICE POWDER to help the users experience the pumice directly as well as climbing the inclined walls as a sort of entertaining experience.

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THE MOUNTAIN PLATFORM

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GREEN GARDEN is the third garden in the sequence of experiences. The pathway lands on a part of the mountains which is inside the silo, and there is a possibility to reach some PLATFORMS that have been inserted inside the mountain. These PLATFORMS provide the possibility to enjoy the atmosphere of GREEN GARDEN.

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THE TUNNEL

In the second part of the GREEN GARDEN, there is a sign of skylight that belongs to an UNDERGROUND TUNNEL. The tunnel has the possibility to explore from its entrance inside the exhibition.

THE PUMICE GARDEN

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PUMICE GARDEN is the last garden during the experiential journey which has filled up with PUMICE POWDER that has an extremely soft texture. PUMICE GARDEN let the users gain the first-hand experience of the final product of pumice industry.

CLIMBING WALL

Along with the PUMICE GARDEN, there is an inclined wall covered with hundreds of hand holds to provide the opportunity of climbing the wall. By using them users can reach the PANORAMIC PIAZZA of the industry to have a panoramic view of the sea.

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EXHIBITION SPACE

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PATHWAY

ISOMETRIC VIEW OF THE END POINTS OF THE PATHWAY

Pathway guide users to walk on top of the wall as well as going to the VIEWING PLATFORM. Beside, they can climb the stairs down to go either out of the pathway to the souvenier shop or the EXHIBITION SPACE to enjoy the exhibition and SEA SCREEN.

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THE FLOATING WALKWAYS

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EXPERIENTIAL PATHWAY goes beside the wall and raises in different levels to let the users admire the highness of the wall and look through the gardens from different points of view.

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PASSING THOUGH THE WALL

In several points, users will pass through the WALL. THRESHOLDS are all marked by a CORTEN frame in order to emphasize their unique entity and to let the users feel the thickness of the wall. By passing through them users will understand a change both physically and emotionally.

THE PANORAMIC PIAZZA

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THE STAIRWELL

From the PANORAMIC PIAZZA, there is a straight path on top of the dividing walls of silos to reach the STAIRWELL of the exhibition inside the front buildings. By using the stairs users can reach the ground and enjoy the storytelling space of the exhibition.

THE PANORAMIC PIAZZA is located at top of the SILOs/ GARDENS. By reaching there users will have the opportunity to admire the vastness of the sea in relation to the interwoven system of the pumice industry.

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WOODEN PLATFORM of DRY GARDEN where users perceive the entity of silos.

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The ENTRANCE POINT to GREEN GARDEN in two different heights.

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The complexity of WATER GARDEN due to its change in the level of PATHWAY and several spots to stay and admire the mixture of new intervention and existing space.

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The ground level connection of WATER GARDEN and GREEN GARDEN and the complexity of the overlapped PATHWAY.

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The PUMICE GARDEN filled up of PUMICE POWDER which has two way of connection to the PANORAMIC PLATFORMS by stairs and CLIMBING WALL.

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1. ENTRANCE TO OPEN-AIR MUSEUM The main entrance to the OPEN AIR MUSEUM is from the narrow passageway in the middle of front buildings of Acquacalda. This entrance has been marked by a plate of CORTEN STEEL on the ground which has differentiated the passageway from the others.

2. COURTYARD OF THE ARCHES COURTYARD OF THE ARCHES is located at the end of the PASSAGEWAY. This courtyard is the main info point, locker room and the main starting point of the PATHWAY according to the main narrative.

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1. EYES ON SECRET GARDEN At the back of the restaurant there is a courtyard which has been called THE SECRET GARDEN. This hidden place is just accessible from the WOODEN PLATFROM of the DRY GARDEN. In the meantime, there are several visual contacts from the restaurant and the main hall in the front building of Acquacalda.

2. LOOK THROUGH THE WALL The main element of the front building of Acquacalda industrial site is the facade that has been touched very little to maintain the main identity of the site. As a result, all the frames and openings have been kept and there is only a small cut on top of the wall where there was a footprint of an opening that helps the users to stay at a balcony to admire the sea presence of the sea behind the wall.

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1. CARRYING BELT FOOTPRINT There is a second balcony along the main PATHWAY which goes out from an existing openning, which was the the exit point of the carrying belt of the pumice. By means of this balcony users can have both view of the sea and exhibition.

2. SEA SCREEN The main door of the storage of pumice packs has been replaced by a huge glass to provide maximum visual connection and bring light inside.

In the meantime, users have the opportunity to seat on a wooden platform to relax and enjoy sea front.

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1. OPEN-AIR COURTYARD Inside the hostel there is a portion of open air courtyard. This courtyard is a mean to bring light inside the hostel rooms.

2. HOSTEL TERRACE THE TERRACE of the hostel is a great location to stay and enjoy the sun while you have the view of the sea.

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1. STEPPED SEATINGS The open space behind the hostel works as a small piazza which has a different seating space for the users of the hostel as well as those who is comming to visit the museum. The narrow passagway in front of the seatings looks toward the sea.

2. ALLEY LOOKOUT As an strategy, all of the passageways have been opened to emphasize the direction of the alleys. From the narrow alley on the side of the hostels, there is sceneric view toward the sea. Hence, users can reach a DECK from the piazza behind the hostels to stay and enjoy the sea view.

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Acquacalda industrial site facade as it appears from the sea 78

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The interior space of the multi-functional front building as it looks during the market day. It is also visible how the pathway helps users to reach top of the wall.

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System of seatings and the entire space of PUBLIC COURTYARD behind the HOSTEL.

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Top view from the stairs of the TOWER toward the entire site.

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SECTION SLICE Cutting through the Green Garden and Pumice Garden

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SECTION SLICE Section through the underground tunnel, Dry Garden, Green Garden and exhibition.

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SECTION SLICE Section through the viewing platform, Green Garden, Water Garden and Exhibition showing the Beach Facility beside the beach.

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SECTION SLICE Section through the Secret Garden, Restaurant, Exit point and Exhibition

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Level change of the pathway inside the Green Garden

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View toward JUNCTION of WATER and GREEN GARDEN.

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COZY SPACE of the SECRET GARDEN its relation to the CHIMNEY.

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WOODEN VIEWING PLATFORM inside WATER GARDEN that users can have view to entire garden.

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03 DECAY ANALYSIS AND CONSERVATION PROJECT

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Existing condition of the main front building of Acquacalda industrial site.

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INTRODUCTION

The factory buildings in Lipari have been designed and built with traditional and local materials and techniques. This applied to the factory site of Acquacalda as well. This can easily be analyzed by the present condition of these buildings.

Another feature that can be noticed is a volumetric aggregation of certain portions of the building. The different materials allow us to easily identify the parts that were built first, and portions of spaces that were added in a chronological order over a period mostly for functional reasons. This layering of materials over the years has caused varying levels of decay that need to be protected to maintain the building in a stable condition and avoid further damage.

The main aim of the conservation project is to help adapt the building to its new function in a way that the building does not lose its original characteristics.

Inevitably, the building will undergo some changes, but these changes will only help make the building stronger and preserve it from further decay.

In this chapter, the faรงade of the factory building has been analyzed on the criteria of material and phenomenal decay. The faรงade of the site plays an important role as it is the first vision of the project, perceived not only from the street, but also from the sea.

The conservation intervention on the faรงade consists of a treatment that allows chromatic uniformity from further distance but allows you to perceive the actual discontinuities and character of the faรงade as you approach closer.

This method of conservation is small sample of the technique of conservation that will be used for the entire project.

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MATERIALS AND PHENOMENAL DECAY

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS, PHENOMENAL DECAY AND CONSERVATION STATUS

PLASTERS Components: Lime, Pumice

MIXED MASONRY Components: Lava stone, Pumice, Obsidian, Brick

Almost all the walls of factory buildings were used to covering with plaster. It can be observed that there are a few different kinds of plaster: one rough layer consisting of coarse granules pasted to the bricks and mortar, and an other layer on the top to get an smooth surface. The inner layer contains small pumice granules, which makes the plaster more porous. And depending on the level of degradation, we can find there are plasters of different ages.

Found in most non-bearing walls in the exisitng constructions. It is a very common type of masonry in Lipari area. Some kinds of local materials, which are often recycled or easily found available, were mixed into the masonry with bricks to save the cost such as lava stone, pumice and obsidian, often in not very large and regular pieces.

Description of the conservation status: The aggression of humidity and typical environmental factors has caused the plaster which should cover the surface of masonry to erode thus exposing the components of the wall. On pumice bricks and on mortar, erosion phenomena can be observed. In the area near ground, we can find a continuous stain caused by rising damp as well as the phenomena of a biological film. A deposit layer of dust is found on the top of the masonry.

Description of the conservation status: The surface layer of plaster has in most places eroded leaving the inside layer exposed. The erosion appears to be the main decay phenomenon on the whole surface. Because of the loss of material ingredients and the influence of humidity, the wall surface presence some darker or lighter area. In the area near the ground, the plaster is found to have been affected by biological film and dampness. The degradation level is also dependent on the amount of loss.

CEMENT PLASTER Components: Cement, Mortar

METAL Components: Iron, Aluminium

The material used to full up the broken or holes on the wall, or the gaps between different building conponents, such as the beams and non-bearing walls, or new constructed part and original walls. This kind of plaster is more dense than the plaster mentioned before, and it also darker in color.

The factory`s gate, some of the doors, and some part of structure, especially roof, are often made of steel components and the aluminum panels.

Description of the conservation status: Almost all elements made in metal shows different degrees of oxidation and corrosion phenomena.

Corrosion is a chemical or electrochemical interaction which can degrade the metal material.

Description of the conservation status: The cement plaster shows good resistance against erosion or other kinds of degradation accured on masonry or concrete. Most cement plaster in the area we investigated is in relativly good conservation status. The main form of decay found on cement plaster is surface erosion or loss and chromatic alteration in some places.

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WOOD AND GLASS Components: Lime, Pumice The material to make the windows. Almost all windows in this area are of the simplest type, which do not offer thermo-hygrometric performance, consisted with a simple frame and one layer of glass. A wooden door is also found in this case.

Description of the conservation status: The wooden part are suffering with fungus and insects, and a certain degree of rot. As it can be observed, the wooden door is covered with graffiti. The glass part have a layer of deposit, and some of them cracked or broken.

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INTERVENTION TECHNICAL SHEET

CONSERVATION PHASE 1 REMOVAL WOOD AND GLASS ELEMENTS

CLEANING WITH AMMONIA BASED DETERGENTS

Since the original windows are almost the simplest ones, which do not offer thermo-hygrometric performance, we will remove and replace them with designed ones to get better physical performance and interaction with outdoor space, wherever necessary or to leave them open as per design.

The detergent based on ammonia will be advantageous for removing of stains, patinas and films generated by organic substances. Ammonium carbonate in solution is one of the most used solvents in cleaning of wall paintings and general stone materials. It can soften and dissolve the substances to be removed, especially the organ-based black crusts.

The time of this treatment should be limited based on appropriate test, and avoiding running off of the detergent products is also very important.

METAL ELEMENTS Remove the metal elements such as the gate and window grills. In places where, the roof is metal, it is better to remove and replace them with new metal roof owing to the rusted conditions of the old ones.

CLEANING WITH SOLVENTS FOR RUST STAINS Before applying this treatment, the other materials surrounding should be protected to avoid to being dyed by iron. The treatment will be based on the use of specific chemical reagents for iron, which does no damage to stone in anyway. For spots on the surface, almost always brown-yellow and caused by oxidized compounds of iron, a saturated solution of ammonium phosphate is particularly effective.

This treatment can be also applied in other place if the steel components can be disassembled.

CLEANING GENERAL DRY CLEANING - MANUAL The physical cleaning works on the surface to totaly remove the deposit. A series of tools are used responding to different kinds and degrees of degradations. For problems like deposits and encrustations more or less adherent to the surface, tools as broom or nylon brushes, scalpes, and small metal spatulas could be taken into use.

MECHANICAL DRY CLEANING In case of adherent deposit, thick efflorescences, some mechanical equipment such as micro-brushes (plant fibres or nylon) will be taken into use in order to do the cleaning work more efficiently. In some cases we can also use the machine of jet mill. In addition, in case of very porous surface, a vacuum cleaner is also necessary for caturing the sediment powders. Perticularly in this case, compressed air is more suitable for this treatment.

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CONSERVATION PHASE 2 CONSOLIDATION SEALING CRACKS

CLEANING GENERAL CLEANING WITH WATER Deionized and Nebulized Water in low pressure

In this procedure, we use adhesive mixture such as acrylic synthetic polymers to seal the visible cracks on the wall, with the methods of injection, casting or spatula.

In case of the requirement of structural adhesive, products based on acrylic resin compound is recommended. Depending on the type of mixture (fluid, pourable) in need, it can be applied by brushes, injectors or spatulas. In any case, the resin must fill up all the vacuum of the crack to make the new union. Once the clogging of the crack is verified, it will be possible to proceed to other surface treatments.

It is a particularly suitable treatment when it comes to removing powders and deposits soluble in water or not too cohesive to substrate. It can remove much of the soluble salts. It is advised not to do this type of treatment in the cold months to avoid the inconveniences caused by frost and slow evaporation. The recommend temperature for this type of opreation is not below 14 degrees.

For water used in this treatment should be deionized pure water with a neutral pH. In order not to demage the wall surface, it is advised to atomized the water into a thick fog of droplets with nozzles to touch the treated surface.

In case of treatment on porous materials, it is recommed to reduce the spray time and repeat the treatment for several times. Between the various cleaning cycles, make it sure that the treated materials become completely dry before next cleaning treatment.

GROUTING WITH COMPATIBLE MORTAR In the presence of plaster detachment, the intervention of grouting should be taken in order to restore the adhesion between the layer of plaster and the masonry. Because the treatment is to make a connection between two non-coplanar surfaces, which conducts a weak point particularly vulnerable to aggression of atmospheric agent, to avoid the harm of condensation water from atmosphere or other factors, this operation must be perfromed very carefully.

The edge of the area being grouted must be sealed by compatible mortar. The mortar should be easily spread, in order to fit the area precisely.

Before application of the grouting, the masonry must be carefully cleaned. Any soluble salts must be removed and fixed the uneven segments. In the presence of moisture stains, before applying the grouting treatment, the causes of moisture must be solved and wait the wall to be well dry.

CONSOLIDATION CONSOLIDATION WITH ETHYL SILICATE It is the most used technique to consolidate the area where has the problem of alveolization, disintegration and cracking, usually carried out with tools of brushes, rollers or pads, also can be applied with nozzles in particular situations. The consolidating products must be precipitate into the pores and chemically bind to the matrix of the material to be consilidated.

PROTECTION DIRTY WATER A transparent layer of protection applied carefully with spray on the complete facade at the end of conservation process.

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04 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Arena Giuseppe , L’economia delle Isole Eolie dal 1544 al 1961, Editore Messina, Messina , 1982.

2. Dansero Egidio, Alberto Vanolo, Geografie dei paesagi industriali in Italia, Milano, 2006.

3. Verges-Belmin V. Illustrated glossary on stone deteriotion patterns, ICOMOS, 2008.

WEBSITES

1. www.googlemap.com 2. www.divisare.com 3. www.archdaily.com 4. www.archiviostoricoeoliano.it 5. www.europeangeoparks.org 6. www.unesco.it 7. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9dcTBMRl4U 8. http://aeolianislands.turismoeolie.com 9. parcogeominerariopomice.it/contesto 10. www.unesco.it/it/PatrimonioMondiale/Detail/133 11. www.hesspumice.com 12. www.tripinview.com

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