Impianti sportivi

ARTIFICIAL CLIFF: Olympic Swimming Stadium in Taranto, Italy
Overview
by ABCPlus

Location: Taranto, Italy
Client: Taranto Municipality
Program: International Design Competition for the new Olympic Swimming Stadium for the XX Mediterranean Games
Design & Landscape: ABCPLUS with Studio 0SA, GRRIZ studio, Nicola Vesentini, Alessandro Parena
Visual: APP Visual Agency


The "Artificial Cliff" project in Taranto, Italy, represents a groundbreaking fusion of architecture, landscape, and water, aimed at creating an Olympic Swimming Stadium for the XX Mediterranean Games. This initiative, commissioned by the Taranto Municipality, seeks to redefine the city's relationship with its coastal environment through an innovative design competition.

Concept and Design

The project's core idea is to extend the landscape experience beyond the existing archaeological park area by introducing a new green platform. This platform aims to reconnect the city with the sea, offering residents and visitors an enhanced environmental and recreational experience. The design emphasizes total integration between the new building and its context, culminating in a roof garden that features an external Olympic swimming pool. This setup provides unobstructed and impressive views of both the historic Ayala Tower and the sea.

Design Philosophy

In Taranto, the project reimagines the threshold between the city and the sea. This transitional area is naturally predisposed to receive interventions that integrate with the urban fabric, creating a novel relationship between architecture, landscape, and water. The site's topography plays a crucial role in establishing visual connections between pre-existing and new structures, ensuring recognizability and balance within the district.

Architectural Features

The Taranto Olympic Swimming Complex's concept design aims to replicate the harmonious balance of its surroundings within its interior spaces. A transparent shell encases the building, offering continuous views of the sea and blending the indoor environment with the natural landscape. The internal covering incorporates recessed elements for lighting, heating, and ventilation, ensuring a comfortable and functional space for athletes and spectators alike.

Environmental Integration

The project’s standout feature is its roof garden, which seamlessly merges the new Olympic swimming pool with the surrounding environment. This green platform not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also contributes to the ecological sustainability of the area. The integration of the building with its natural context is a testament to the design team's commitment to creating structures that respect and enhance their environments.

Visual Experience

The visual representation of the "Artificial Cliff" by APP Visual Agency brings to life the project's innovative concept. The visuals highlight the seamless connection between the city, the new building, and the sea, showcasing the project's potential to transform Taranto's coastal landscape.

The "Artificial Cliff" project for the Taranto Olympic Swimming Stadium exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to urban development. By blending architecture, landscape, and water, it not only provides a state-of-the-art facility for the XX Mediterranean Games but also enriches the city's connection to its natural surroundings. This project stands as a model for future developments that aim to harmonize human activities with the environment, offering a vision of sustainable and integrated urban growth.