The name was chosen by the locals through a referendum: it has nothing to do with Carl Jung, but stands for A - Art, N - Nature, I - Ideas, M - Music, A - Action. The customers were the municipality of Grottammare and the Cassa di Risparmio di Ascoli Piceno Foundation. According to their plan, the cultural center will serve local residents (both performances and fairs will be held there) and will attract tourists.
The multifunctional ANIMA, designed for a wide variety of events, is regarded as a metaphor for the "city" - in terms of area it is comparable to the medieval center of Grottammare (7 thousand m2).
The building will be located on the outskirts of the city, between the sea coast and the hills. Working on the exterior of the building, Bernard Chumi decided to move away from his usual principle of "shell", uniting walls and ceilings. Instead, he turned to the idea of a pre-Renaissance façade that lacks the formalism of an imposed order system and that “honestly” expresses the qualities and limitations of its material. In this case, it will be an openwork structure, and it will become the most permeable from the southern side, where the main entrance will be located.
In the center of the building at an angle to the facades the volume of the main hall for 1,500 seats will be located. There are planned 4 irregular courtyards around, intended for a garden, exhibitions and fairs. The rest of the building will be occupied by "laboratories", offices, cafes and utility rooms.
Construction is scheduled for 2014–2016. ANIMA will be Bernard Chumi's first building in Italy.
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