Abitare la neve. Verso nuovi modi di fare paesaggio

The snow occupies 9% of total earth’s surface on average, approximately 5 times the size of the Europe. Depending on the latitude, it lies on the ground from few days to eight months. Inquiring about the existence of a snow-sensitive design appears more than legitimate. With this aim, the present research work straddles the nordic architecture and the design of the winter city. The key is landscape design, intended in a sense which includes aspects of architecture, ecology, urbanism, engineering and spatial practices that are able to shape the setting of our daily life. The snow in the landscape is not just linked to the visual and aesthetic experience, it’s an element that deeply transforms the reality around us. When it falls, details disappear, ground layouts go hidden, colors turn toward a gray scale, sounds are deadened and smells are subtle. Everything becomes a game of tensions, rounded shapes, volumes and connections that changes the ways in which we live our territories. Thus, cities, villages, streets, public spaces, parks, infrastructures are forced to face the need to adapt their spaces to accommodate the presence of snow. For the first time this book has systematically investigated the issue. Studies and comparison have been done among intriguing modern and contemporary experiences, to shed a light on design principles specifically related to the snow. Findings were pursued through an inductive approach. Starting from the understanding of case studies it has been possible to build an overall vision about design principles. Among the multi-faceted international context, three main trajectories, in which snow-sensitive design seems to be oriented, emerge: 1) working on temporality; 2) designing the safety; 3) promote active outdoor living. What clearly comes out is the need for a change of point of view, that allows us to reconsider the snow from limitation, or simple climatic circumstance, to inviting design opportunities. Unlike traditional forms of adaptation to the climate, the contemporary snow-sensitive landscape design involves broader aspects, such as the adoption of flexible spatial configurations, the poetry of the limited use of resources, the reinterpretation and improvement of architectural rhetoric, ecosystem functionality, openness to climate change, attention to ethical, aesthetic and experiential issues. First of all snow-sensitive design is based on the concept of year-round usability, which means the possibility to use open spaces all year round. The key aspect is the temporality, intended as the ability of the project to create shifting spatial and programmatic conditions, particularly suitable to accommodate the snow in all the stages, from the first pristine fall to the dirty melting material. Other common principles are the increase of attractiveness, the playful and creative use of the snow, to be achieved also through temporary artistic practices.

La neve occupa il 9% della superficie totale della terra, un’area grande cinque volte l’Europa. Influenza profondamente la realtà che ci circonda, nelle forme, nei colori, nei rumori e anche negli odori. Cambia i confini e le ripartizioni degli spazi aperti, così come le geometrie di funzionamento di città e territori. La neve si comporta come una “variabile d’eccellenza” rispetto alla quale il progetto deve avere contezza della temporalità e dei suoi effetti. Alla stregua di altre forze naturali, necessita di essere gestita, conformata, “usata” con tutto il sapere progettuale possibile, non solo sfruttata o “combattuta”. In questa prospettiva, il progetto può essere uno straordinario strumento attraverso il quale ri-considerare il valore della neve: da intralcio ad abbondante risorsa di larga scala, da discomfort ambientale a miglioramento dell’esperienza invernale. Attraverso il confronto critico tra alcune delle più interessanti esperienze moderne e contemporanee, a cavallo tra l’architettura nordica e il disegno della città invernale, questo libro tenta di dare risposta ad alcune inevitabili domande: Come si può gestire la neve attraverso il progetto? Quali sono i principi su cui lavorare? In quale misura possono indirizzare la transizione climatica degli ambienti nivali?