OBR Piazza del Vento: a new urban landmark for Genoa

The city of Genoa has a new urban landmark, an installation that recalls sail boats and creates a permanent link with the Boat Show also becomes a joyful and colourful celebration of the city’s relationship with the sea. The installation was inspired by world famous Genoese architectRenzo Piano, who has given his city a poetic vision of sea, sun and wind. Renzo Piano’s idea was interpreted and designed by the OBR studio of architects Paolo Brescia and Tommaso Principi and has become the new square and entrance to the Boat Show, the Piazza del Vento.

The name of the square is linked to the installation that recalls sail boats. It is made up of 57 masts, one for each of the years of the Boat Show, 12 metres tall in red cedar and white steel. At the top of the masts are colourful wind indicatorsmade of Windex and ldquo;flame&rdquo shaped spinnaker fabric that show the direction of the wind. There are also white triangular sails to create an interplay of shadows on the double seat swings installed at the base of some of the masts.
The installation allows the public to interact with the environmental and energetic phenomena of the sea (the wind and sun) and architect Paolo Brescia says that the installation "creates a public space in which to celebrate the ritual where city life and the sea meet".

(Agnese Bifulco)

Architects: OBR Paolo Brescia and Tommaso Principi, inspired by Renzo Piano
Location: Genoa, Italy
Images courtesy of Capoferri

www.obr.eu

---

GALLERY