New city water reservoir - San Ferdinando di Puglia (BAT) - Italy
2012-2019
The project, which won a public tender issued by AQP (Acquedotto Pugliese) in 2012 and is currently under construction, concerns the new water reservoir for the city of San Ferdinando di Puglia (BAT). It is being built adjacent to the historic reservoir dating back to the first half of the 20th century.
The architectural design stems from evaluations carried out through two analysis methodologies: an objective study of regional planning, and an interpretative, subjective reading of the site's specific characteristics.
The project area, spanning a total of 6,900 square meters and substantially free of land-use constraints, lies on a portion of land marked by a strong agricultural vocation. The terrain features elevation changes that suggest the need for particular care in relation to the landscape.
The inspiring principle of the architectural project is the dual intent of achieving a sustainable response to the landscape analyses while simultaneously considering the creation of a production facility as an indelible mark of anthropogenic activity on the land, to be entrusted to aesthetically high-quality designs.
Given the studies on views and environmental impact, it was deemed appropriate to focus on the north-facing front overlooking the "S.S. 16bis Adriatica" highway, an important reference point for the surrounding area and for the characterization of the new "building."
The typology of the settlement, outlined by technological and engineering requirements (reservoirs, control chambers, systems, etc.), made it possible to identify two interconnected volumes with differing heights. The first, lower volume is intended for the reservoirs and is inscribed on a square floor plan with a side of approximately 42 meters. The second, central volume is taller and projects 6.50 meters outward on the north front compared to the first; it is designed for the control chamber and the loading tank, featuring a rectangular plan measuring 34x11 meters, with a roof line articulated on two levels.
A connecting element and fundamental design reference for the area is the northern wall of the reservoirs. Built in reinforced concrete and clad with limestone ashlar blocks, it extends 19.65 meters to the east and west of the central body, respectively, containing the height of the structures intended for water storage. With a height of 6.10 meters from the foundation level (corresponding to 98.10 meters above sea level), it conceals the entire volumetric mass of the reservoirs from observers located downhill. Acting as an ideal "dry-stone wall" within the agricultural horizon, it does not, however, negate the existing architecture of the ancient reservoir. The stone wall, ideally extending for about 50 meters, is interrupted only in the central section by the taller, white-plastered volume. Similar to the pre-existing structure, this becomes the new prominent feature (emergenza) on the landscape and across the entire intervention.
The choice of materials is also aimed at achieving the set objectives: stone, a natural element for the longitudinal wall; white plaster, for the upper section and to establish a dialogue with the pre-existing architecture; and galvanized iron, to lighten the imposing central structure, mark the specific function of housing the technical systems, and create a natural fade with the reinforced concrete bodies of the reservoirs.
The new internal road network, built with permeable paving, develops transversely from south to north starting from the new entrance gate, and turns east, running longitudinally across the entire plot and serving both reservoirs (the existing and the new one). Along the west-east stretch, near the respective access points to the reservoirs, there are four parking and maneuvering areas built with grass-grid permeable paving. A wide strip adjacent to the longitudinal path—bounded by the stone wall of the new reservoir building and the embankment at the foot of the existing one—strengthens the line of the main front and organizes the landscaped spaces used for parking.
The embankments abutting the east, south, and west walls of the new reservoir mitigate the impact of the reinforced concrete walls. The intervention, also intended as an opportunity for environmental redevelopment, includes the planting of select tree and shrub species appropriately chosen from native varieties. The trees, comprising three different species, respond to the requirements arising from the landscape assessments: Quercus robur (English oak), a robust tall tree, is used to mark the access route and block the view inward from the only angle of potential visibility regarding the reinforced concrete structure of the reservoirs; Acacia dealbata (silver wattle), planned on the south side of the longitudinal path, marks the sequence of the two reservoirs and decorates the stone facade; Prunus cerasifera pissardii (purple-leaf plum), a small-stature tree, colors the northern front with its reddish-brown foliage and pink flowers, marking the linearity of the longitudinal path while enhancing the yellow of the Acacia dealbata.
The different varieties of shrubs used, known for thriving in Mediterranean climates, define the layout of the outdoor landscaping and create an evocative dialogue with the agricultural environment.
The lighting design underlines the desire to equip the area with a sustainable lighting system. The adoption of diffused lighting with LED driveway path-markers along the entire paved route is intended to limit energy consumption on one hand, and to protect the environment at night from unnecessary and harmful light pollution. At the same time, the design chooses to highlight the presence of the new architectural landmark even at night through a scenic yet subdued LED lighting system diffused along the perimeter of the tallest volume: the soft blue color standing out against the night skyline evokes the color of water. Finally, a spotlight illuminates the sign featuring the Acquedotto Pugliese logo, located on the pediment of the entrance facade, to enhance the brand of a public company with a solid and ancient tradition.
CLIENT: Acquedotto Pugliese S.p.a. - ITALY
DESIGN: arch. Vincenzo Russo, Studio Romanazzi Boscia Associati S.r.l. (ingg. E. Romanazzi, G.F. Boscia, S. Giotta, F. Paccapelo)
COMPANY: CPL Concordia S.r.l., Concordia sulla Secchia (MO) · ITALY
LOCATION: San Ferdinando di Puglia (BT) - ITALY
YEAR: 2012-2019
