Carlo Ratti's team continues their research on the relationship between the city and nature (this multi-stage research includes, for example, a project to revitalize the territory of the Milan Expo 2015). This time, the Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) bureau presented to the public the installation "Wildlife" - as part of the Salone del Mobile furniture and design exhibition, which recently ended in Milan. The pavilion, which united within its walls four seasons at once, appeared in the central square of the city of Piazza del Duomo.
Building with an area of 500 m2 divided into four sectors corresponding to different seasons. Each season is associated with its own type of room and the corresponding scenario of behavior: the spring zone plays the role of a living room, the autumn zone plays the role of an office, the winter sector is given as a playroom, the summer zone is intended for picnics. Visitors can ply between climatic compartments, changing occupations. The five-meter-high structure, in addition to a large number of flowers and other low-growing plants, accommodates 23 species of trees. All plants are selected by the French naturalist designer, the inventor of the green walls so popular today.
Patrick Blanc. At the same time, each zone is “equipped” with iconic design objects and furniture from various world brands (among them: Arper, Cappellini, Ethimo, Glas Italia, Kartell, Living Divani, Magis, Moroso).
The penetration of sunlight is controlled by a highly sensitive selective crystalline membrane. Photovoltaic panels located on the roof of the pavilion generate clean energy, providing cooling for the winter area and heating for the summer area. Batteries provide energy storage.
The relationship between nature and the city is an enduring theme in Western history, from Ancient Greece to modernity, represented by a sociologist
Ebenezer Howard and his idea of a garden city or Frank Lloyd Wright with a vanishing city, Ratti emphasizes. “In the 20th century, cities expanded to conquer nature and the countryside. Today we are faced with the opposite challenge - to bring nature back to the city and home,”says Carlo Ratti, founding partner of CRA and director of the MIT Senseable City Lab.
“In light of climate change and the threat it poses to cities around the world, we need to develop strategies to mitigate negative environmental impacts to improve living conditions in our cities,” echoes colleague Antonio Atripaldi, project leader CRA.
Today is the last day when the Wildlife Pavilion can be seen in Piazza del Duomo. The exposition started on April 17 and was accompanied by discussions about nature and sustainability.
