With the intention of creating a beautiful public space from what is usually a one-function building, AS-DOES architects are redefining what a parking lot can be.
The main intention is to create a beautiful public space from what is usually a one-function building.
The competition’s brief involved the upgrading Campo del Palio square one of the largest squares in nord Italy now mainly used as parking, maintaining the parking lot, but at the same time, providing with flexibility for big or small events and other socialization activities. The theme is the reorganization of open spaces through the action of new and wider pedestrianizing zone, placing the inhabitant of the neighborhood as the fulcrum and aiming to increase the sociality and the viability of the place.
How to create a functional parking structure, which is also an attractive public space? And how to create a large parking house that respects the scale, history and future urban culture of the area in ancient city Asti?
A more innovative solution came from Angelo Salamone and Ilaria Filippi of AS-DOES (Designers Of EcoSystems), who received second place in an international design contest. They proposed a hybrid architecture with landscape typology which seek to resolve infrastructural space, reuse social spaces, and remediate environmental conditions.
The solution opts for a programmatic symbiosis, where to keep the entire area free to accommodate major events and at the same time double the car parking capacity, it is proposed to build an elliptical multi-storey carpark like a bridge on 6 supports with a large green roof.
So there was a symbiosis of programs between the square itself, the necessary structures and the urban green. It was a matter of combining the need for large free spaces, paved and partially covered spaces for merchant and cultural activities, parking, with the need of new green spaces for sport activities on the rooftop.
Green also has the function of mitigating the environmental insertion of the proposed action, and it also has an aggregating and meeting function to offer the community new spaces for meeting and socializing.
Project description .
The project proposal arises from the consideration that the area in question is located in a strategic point, being in direct contact with the historical center of the town, with the first eight-twentieth-century expansion areas, with the internal road system and the nearby train station. This is why the whole area needs a large parking lot and at the same time must becomes both an attractive pole for residents and a comfortable place for arrivals for tourists.
To minimize direct traffic to the parking lot and free the avenues around the square from direct traffic to the parking lot, it is necessary to locate a new direct entrance to it on the south side near major extra-urban connections.
A new double-road route has been created from the south with side-by-side combs that go directly into the square as the extension of the extra-urban arrivals line.
The new road is close to the existing green ring that is maintained both to create a green trail and green spaces in the square as well as to create a vegetative barrier that visually highlights visually the presence of the new volume.
The volume of the new parking lot is raised from the ground about 5 meters near the carriage entrance in order to allow a total usability of the square.
This overhang creates, on the ground floor, a free, open, permeable but covered space.
The volume is supported by six pylons that also include climbing / descent systems such as pedestrian staircases and elevators, thus allowing a widespread and distributed connection throughout the square. The new building will have basically not just the appearance but also a constructive bridge system.
The roof of the new building was thought to be an extension of the green ring on the ground floor. The two green systems are connected externally by 4 pedestrian ramps that make the cover accessible to everyone.
The structure of the new parking lot has been designed to create a new space system of approximately 19,000 square meters divided into two concentric rings. The more exterior with green equipped for easy walks altitude to enjoy new scenic spots to the city; The internal one, on the other hand, consists of sports spaces that promote physical activity and play such as: volleyball, tennis, basketball, skating park, skate park etc.
The two rings on different levels are connected by a grading system, some equipped with accessible ramps, which form natural seats for both sports and play activities and to enjoy moments of relaxation in the middle of the green.
Green also has the function of mitigating the environmental insertion of the proposed action, and it also has an aggregating and meeting function to offer the community new spaces for meeting and socializing. The cover can be accessed either externally from the green areas to the ground floor via pedestrian ramps either internally by means of stairway ramps and lifts that cross the entire building.
The ground floor is arranged for concentric-zone rings.
Behind the arched street are the new green areas that are directly in communication with the covered square ring.
Close to the "pylons" in the ring under the large roof, there are several services: tourist bus stop, refueling points for electric cars, business and dining, tourist information, bicycle parking, bike sharing, Merchant Activities.

The central area of the square on the ground floor thus left free from edifice and bounded by the new ellipsoidal building, as well as being able to normally hold cars in the park, can be used as an outdoor cinema arena for cultural events, theater performances, concerts, skating rink, markets, fairs, festivals, etc ...