Architecture

Renzo Piano's Flat-Pack Auditorium aids disaster recovery in Aquila

Renzo Piano's Flat-Pack Auditorium aids disaster recovery in Aquila
The Italian city of Trento donated this colorful auditorium to earthquake-affected Aquila (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The Italian city of Trento donated this colorful auditorium to earthquake-affected Aquila (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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Construction of the structure in the yard at Trento (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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Construction of the structure in the yard at Trento (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The entire auditorium was prefabricated in Trento and then flat packed and transported to Aquila (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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The entire auditorium was prefabricated in Trento and then flat packed and transported to Aquila (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The three large cubic structures appear to have casually “tumbled” into place (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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The three large cubic structures appear to have casually “tumbled” into place (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
All three cubes are made entirely of specially treated wood to protect against homogenous oxidation (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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All three cubes are made entirely of specially treated wood to protect against homogenous oxidation (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The central cube is home to a 238-seat concert hall (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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The central cube is home to a 238-seat concert hall (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The 2,500 square meter (26,909 sq. foot) performance center is comprised of three large cubic structures (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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The 2,500 square meter (26,909 sq. foot) performance center is comprised of three large cubic structures (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The cubes rest independently to one another, but are linked by walkways made from glass and steel (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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The cubes rest independently to one another, but are linked by walkways made from glass and steel (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The entire auditorium is made up of hundreds of wooden beams (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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The entire auditorium is made up of hundreds of wooden beams (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The site’s exterior has been integrated into its park landscape and organized to accommodate outdoor events (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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The site’s exterior has been integrated into its park landscape and organized to accommodate outdoor events (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
Aquila Auditorium by Renzo Piano (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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Aquila Auditorium by Renzo Piano (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
Two approximately 2-meter (6.56 ft.)-high acoustic walls have been positioned to reflect sound towards the orchestra (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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Two approximately 2-meter (6.56 ft.)-high acoustic walls have been positioned to reflect sound towards the orchestra (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
Aquila Auditorium by Renzo Piano (image: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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Aquila Auditorium by Renzo Piano (image: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
Concert Hall plans (image: Atelier Traldi)
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Concert Hall plans (image: Atelier Traldi)
Floor plans of the auditorium (image: Renzo Piano Building Workshop)
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Floor plans of the auditorium (image: Renzo Piano Building Workshop)
Renzo Piano on site (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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Renzo Piano on site (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
Renzo Piano with a group of students from the Faculty of Engineering of the Eagle in the auditorium (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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Renzo Piano with a group of students from the Faculty of Engineering of the Eagle in the auditorium (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
The Italian city of Trento donated this colorful auditorium to earthquake-affected Aquila (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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The Italian city of Trento donated this colorful auditorium to earthquake-affected Aquila (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
Inside the concert hall, the walls have been equipped with a series of hanging raw-wood acoustic panels (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
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Inside the concert hall, the walls have been equipped with a series of hanging raw-wood acoustic panels (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
View gallery - 18 images

In April 2009, the historic Italian city of Aquila was affected by a devastating earthquake and has since been struggling to recover from the estimated 10 billion euros in damage. In an effort to raise community spirit and further aid the disaster recovery, late last year the Northern Italian city of Trento donated a colorful auditorium designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano.

The 2,500 square meter (26,909 sq. foot) performance center is comprised of three large cubic structures that appear to have casually “tumbled” into place. The cubes rest independently to one another, but are linked by walkways made from glass and steel. The central cube is home to a 238-seat concert hall, while the smaller cubes are placed on either side, catering for public services and including foyers, bars, bathrooms, dressing rooms and exhibition space for artists.

The entire auditorium, which is constructed from hundreds of wooden beams, was prefabricated in Trento and then flat packed and transported to Aquila before being assembled onsite. All three cubes are made entirely of specially treated wood to protect against homogenous oxidation, and have been built to withstand earthquakes. In addition, 90 trees have been planted near the auditorium to make up for the timber used to build the project.

Inside the concert hall, the walls have been equipped with a series of hanging raw-wood acoustic panels (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)
Inside the concert hall, the walls have been equipped with a series of hanging raw-wood acoustic panels (Photo: Marco Caselli Nirmal)

Inside the concert hall, the walls have been equipped with a series of hanging raw-wood acoustic panels which are oriented towards the audience to reflect sound inside the auditorium. In addition, two approximately 2-meter (6.56 ft.)-high acoustic walls have been positioned to reflect sound towards the orchestra, ensuring optimum acoustics.

The auditorium's exterior has been integrated into its surrounding park landscape and organized to accommodate outdoor events. The area can be fitted with seating to accommodate around 500 people and is said to be ideal for open-air performances or watching events on the big screen.

Source: Renzo Piano via Archdaily

View gallery - 18 images
1 comment
1 comment
Slowburn
Maybe in a few years they will give it a paint job that is not an embarrassing eye sore.