Mercato Centrale and the beautification of the area.

Mercato Centrale –and the –

bea utification of the area

The Task:

We understood that the citizens of any city have the need for green spaces around the urban area where they can relax, and come closer to nature. The target of this project is the creation of a green area around the Mercato Centrale in the center of city of Florence, an area that can be transformed from a grey area full of buildings and roads, to a “green island� which would, in turn, affect the climate of the city. Furthermore it is important to create areas that people can sit and enjoy the park. The idea is to create park filled with industrial elements such as tables, benches, and rails, so that students, locals and tourists can sit down, work through the day and use the wi-fi system of the park.

The Task: problem

location

We understood that the citizens of any city have the need for green spaces around the urban area where they can relax, and come closer to nature. The target of this project is the creation of a green area around the Mercato Centrale in the center of city of Florence, an area that can be transformed from a grey area full of buildings and roads, to a “green island� which would, in turn, affect the climate of the city. Furthermore it is important to create areas that people can sit and enjoy the park. The idea is to create park filled with industrial elements such as tables, benches, and rails, so that students, locals and tourists can sit down, work through the day and use the wi-fi system of the park.

benches, etc.

demographic

1. Problem

Florence is a beautiful city, rich with artistc history. Some of the most influential people in the world were born in this incredible city. Now, Florence is quite urban and is among the most visited tourist destinations. We noticed that, on the whole, the buildings of Florence take control of the space and that the city is missing one, key elemet: a green space. A place for students, locals, and tourists to come together and relax, eat, and enjoy the outside.

Gray spaces/Buildings Define the Climate of the City

even the piazzas are gray

2.Inspiration

Besiktas Fish Market

Red RibbonPark

3.Location

After taking a close look at the city, we decided to find a real place for our park in Florence. An article in the Florentine newspaper wrote about the area surrounding Mercato Centrale. We determined that there was an epmty space outside of the Mercato which we used to develop our green island.

pa ssa gewa ys into area

cicles showing park la yout {top}

{sections}

handicapped accessible entrances

3.1 Floral Solutions constriants

Plant and tree life are obviously two important factors in creating a green area. The kind of plants and trees used are very specific as some are more resistant to weather conditions and pollution than others.

The plants we chose to include in our park for environmental but also aesthetic reasons are the Aesculus Hippocastanum tree, Hibiscus syriacus flower, Magnoila grandiflora, Rosemary, Viburnum Tinus, and the Mahonia Aquifolum flower.

soultions

to 35m tall, horseshoe shaped Aescul us Hippocastanum: Grows leaves, small fruits develop seasonally.

Hibiscus Syriacus

A flowering shrub. It is widely planted in areas with hot summers, for it’s very attractive white, pink, red, lavender, or purple large flowers bloom in this particular climate.

Some flowers only last a day or so and are fragile, but there are many produced and lots of new growth.

Magnolia Tree

Magnolia is a medium to large evergreen tree which grows to about 30 meters tall. They are dark greem, still and leathery, but produce a lemon scented, white flower.

The flower has about 6 to 12 petals and has a waxy texture.

Rosemary

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub that has leaves that are similar to pine needles. The leaves can be used to flavor foods and is commonly found in many kitchens.

Rosemary can withstand droughts and can survive even through a severe lack of water and other dry conditions.

Viburnum Tinus:

A small tree about 4 meters in height with a dense, rounded crown. Evergreen leaves and reddish pink buds characterize this plant.

Mahonia Aquifolium This plant grows about 2 meters high. Its leathery leaves resemble holly and the stems and twigs have a thickened, corky feeling.

The flowers bloom in late spring and are a beautiful bright yellow color. They are low-maintenence plants and need little in terms of water and a lot of light. They are perfect for a park.

4.Industrial Details

aims

The project that we chose requires a variety of expansive thinking.

Layout, integration with nature, plant life, and different spatial elements are part of the thinking required when designing an urban environment, such as a park. When determining the interior elements of the park, there are weather conditions, animal life, and providing seating and tables that might have ulterior functions to consider. In designing benches, materials and functions were the greatest considerations. We hoped to design something that was not only bench, but could also have secondary functions.

constraints

4.1 Bench -Bike Rack -Table The bench is to be placed in the park. It also functions as a bicycle rack, promoting bicycle travel rather then automobile. The table is perfect for people who’d like to sit outside and eat what they might have purchased inside the famed market. I wanted to design both elements together, using inspiration from one of the most significant contributions to design by one of the most famous Italian artists: Leonardo DaVinci’s Vetruvian Man. His study of proportions and relationships to shapes like squares and circles was an incredible inspiration to me throughout this process.

metallic strip table ?

circle + rectangle

wooden slats {top}

bicycle placement {top}

from the back

from the front

4.2 Rail - Seat - Solar Panel The rail bench is a design that could multifunction.

The main idea is to create a combination of a rail that prohibits people from stepping on the grass and also creating a bench a student can sit down and work with his laptop, stand, and also be accessible by the handicapped. The lighting system collects energy through the solar panel into the batteries that are hidden under it. The design of the bench is based on metallic sections that can create different combinations. The materials selected are metal and wood because they are more appropriate for both aesthetic and ergonomic reasons.

seating possibilities

seating solar harness