CENTER FOR CULTURE AND PERFORMING ARTS, BERGAMO, ITALY.
DESIGN TEAM:
Alessandro Calvi Rollino, architect
Sandro Panarese, architect
> Identity of Place, Social Inclusion, Public Spaces
Our approach focuses on a territorial analysis and a design proposal aimed at enhancing the Upper City of Bergamo - Bergamo Città Alta - by integrating local, regional and global dynamics. The primary objective is to revitalize the urban fabric, avoiding its transformation into a museum-like environment. The analysis highlights the strategic position of the city such as its proximity to Orio al Serio Airport and the Milano-Bergamo axis. The study examines the social, economic, cultural, and political forces shaping the use of public spaces, emphasizing the importance of local industrial sectors (metallurgy and textiles) and their potential synergy with the fashion industry, conceived as a bridge between local, regional (Milano, the city of fashion) and global contexts.
These proposals take shape in the creation of the Center for Culture and Performing Arts, designed to host artistic activities such as dance, music, poetry, and theater, while reinforcing the relationship between the natural and built environments. The spaces are conceived as a seamless continuum between indoor and outdoor areas, with the garden extending into the building, a wooden platform linking the external areas, and an architectural promenade connecting the Rocca to the new structure. The walkable rooftops provide unique perspectives, fostering a unified vision of the urban fabric.
Our vision integrates the scenic beauty of the landscape, cultural functionality, and sensitivity to the historical context, proposing livable spaces for cultural events that are both accessible and welcoming for residents and tourists. The project aims to transform the Upper City into a dynamic hub capable of expressing its identity and heritage, blending the tranquillity of its past with the needs of the present.