Izmo Summer School 2011 - Public Spaces in the City - Torino, Italy

The workshop is conceived by Izmo

in partnership with Politecnico di Torino, Second School of Architecture and St. John International University

with the patronage of Circoscrizione 7 in the City of Torino.

Urban development in Torino and its public space

The lesson "Urban development in Torino and its public space" will focus on Turin, Italy's first capital.  Backed by two millennia of history, Turin is now the heart of a massive process of territorial transformation.
Foretold by some symbolic events over 25 years ago, the morphosis became concrete in the mid-nineties, continuing on year after year to cover all aspects of urban life: social, cultural, architectural.
Urban Center Metropolitano will introduce the urban development in progress and what has been realized on the occasion of XX Olympic Winter Games till the present.

Urban Center Metropolitano - Torino

Urban Center Metropolitano is a presiding organization providing support to the transformation processes in Torino and its metropolitan area, together with research, promotion and training on issues concerning architecture and the urban debate.
 

http://www.urbancenter.to.it

Participation, inclusion and the work in the field

The lesson "Participation, inclusion and the work in the field" will introduce students to theories and practices to support local development and urban revitalization initiatives through the participation and social inclusion of the citizen. Patrizia Saroglia and Alberto Rudellat will focus on the stakeholders, the decision makers and any actors that play a role and have to be involved in the planning and policies with special consideration to appropriate methods, times and places. The lesson will be concluded by Alessandro Grella who will introduce topics such as: the art of moving, travel, walking, exploring; an excursus from nomadism to the contemporary reappropriation of the urban space.

Patrizia Saroglia

Alberto Rudellat

Alberto Rudellat graduated in Law in 2007 at the University of Pisa with a thesis on Constitutional law.
In 2008 he graduated with a Master’s in Public Policy Analysis from the Department of Political Science, University of Turin.
He does consulting on behalf of the Union of Municipalities of the Valle Cedrino part of the "River Contract of Cedrino”.
He is part of the Technical Committee - Scientific Coordination Italian National Agenda 21.
His fields of interest include deliberative democracy, participatory decision making and local development.

In the public space, within the public art

The lesson "In the public space, within the public art" will invite students to examine the role of the public space and of the arts and humanities in the urban setting as well as within the context of city growth and development. Alessandro Grella will focus on the public and semi-public space and the places for art and installations.  He will discuss the ways in which these spaces are designed, planned and supported by the municipality and community for aesthetic, cultural and historic reasons, and finally the amenities available for artists in promoting community well-being.

Alessandro Grella

Urban Landscapes

The lesson "Urban Landscapes" will introduce the students to some contemporary ways in which the city is conceived and designed. The lesson will focus on the design value that the landscape assumes within the framework of the city's architecture. Giulia Carlone will focus on the concept of urban landscape within the design of public spaces utilizing several case studies.

Giulia Carlone

Sustainability: practices of mobility and reuse

The lesson "Sustainability: practices of mobility and reuse" will develop an approach to public space that integrates the three basic dimensions on sustainability: environmental, social and economic. Sustainability is not just a cooler or a more expensive approach, but rather the key to creating smarter projects.
In the first part of the lesson, Elena Candelari will introduce reuse as a good practice of eco-architecture and eco-design. She will show some case studies: how this practice can contribute to community building in the redevelopment of a public space? There will also be a focus on reclaimed material: what kind of resources can be found from waste?
During the second part, Marco Menonna will focus on the advantages of building walkable and bicycle-friendly streets through sharing (bike-sharing systems and shared spaces schemes).

Elena Candelari

Marco Menonna

Marco Menonna has a Master’s Degree in Economics of Institutions, Environment and Territories from the University of Turin. He participated in a Double-Master final project in collaboration with the University of Paris 12.
In Paris, he had an internship with Innovation and Sustainable Development Branch at the local transit operator, RATP. The topic of his work concerned the collaboration with users and citizens about new non-transport services concepts.
He has collaborated with the Turin Province on local Agenda 21 projects to develop safe and sustainable mobility around schools.

19:00 - Tuesday, September 6

SUMISURA. resources for the environment and the city

Through public space

Public space is not always where you expect it to be.
Public space is not public because of its ownership status but because of the use people give to it.
Spontaneous actions define and redefine urban spaces every day, going beyond their shape and structure and the function for which they were built.
A city in which people use public spaces and commit themselves to make it more liveable, is an interesting city, a welcoming city, one in which quality of life and mutual trust grow higher.
Sumisura’s work focuses on public space as the place and the engine for positive urban transformations: they research practices, analyze processes and set up projects to enhance spontaneous uses and actions.

SUMISURA is a cooperative that works on urban regeneration, local development and revitalization. The talk will be held by the partners:
Raffaella Valente graduated in Architecture in 2005 at Politecnico di Torino.  She worked from 2005 till 2008 in the landascape planning studio Signes, in Paris. In 2008 she finished her DSA in Architecture et Projet Urbain in Ecole Nazionale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris la Villette. In 2011 she completed her PhD in Spatial Planning and Local Development at Politecnico di Torino with a thesis on public space in urban regenaration projects.
Marina Pelfini, architect, expert in community planning and urban regeneration projects. She works in setting up and implementing projects for the physical, social and economic upgrading and development of the local environment. At present she works for Amapola, focusing on urban security through environmental design, and for Sumisura. Previously she worked as social planner in social housing areas (Cicsene, 2002/2008) and as project coordinator in a project for the local development of a rural area in the Kosovo region, based on sustainable tourism using cultural heritage resources (Chwb, 2001/2004).

www.sumisuratorino.it

19:00 - Thursday, September 8

a.titolo

situa.to

Situa.to is a group of 30 young people from different backgrounds (art, architecture, design, humanities and social sciences) researching the city and its transformations to bring out new aspects, to discover potential problems and experimental design practices intended for the social and cultural dimensions of urban public spaces. Situa.to in the initial phase has involved young people in a structured path to higher education in workshops, lectures and design studios held by architects, experts in the social sciences and philosophy, and professionals active in the field of literature, theater, design, and music. 
After the training phase, participants explored the metropolitan area with the intent to identify the needs and potential sites, as well as the perception that the residents have of the area. From the research conducted through surveys, archival evidence, meetings with residents and associations emerged design ideas for cultural and artistic intervention in the public space to be developed with residents and other stakeholders in the territory (associations, territorial administration, etc.). 
From 30 design hypotheses that emerged with the research, 10 projects have been developed on the basis of their sustainability and feasibility.  Small groups of participants formed that then developed an operational framework and acted in several neighborhoods as "activators" who represented the desire for action by the residents. Situa.to is a project still in progress that aims to foster the development of active citizenship and self-potential projects. www.situa.to

a.titolo Is an association founded in Torino in 1997 by Giorgina Bertolino, Francesca Comisso, Nicoletta Leonardi, Lisa Parola and Luisa Perlo with the aim of promoting contemporary art oriented toward the social, political and cultural public sphere. a.titolo, through public art projects, exhibitions, artistic productions, photographic campaigns, workshops, conferences and publications fosters the dialogue between urban design and visual arts. Since 2001 a.titolo is responsible for cultural mediation in Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta and the public art program sponsored by New Clients Fondazione Adriano Olivetti and oversaw the first application in Italy as part of the City of Turin Urban 2. a.titolo has created (with R. De Marchi) for the Province of Turin, the Laboratory of Art Permanent Echo and Narcissus by offering art as an instrument of intervention in the territory in relation to specific governance objectives. For the Department of Culture of the Piedmont Region the organization has edited six editions of Proposals Laboratory: a platform for discussion and exchange of character education aimed at young artists, now care Art3, Valence, the "Program of interregional support artistic production "of the regions of Piedmont and Rhône Alpes.

Since 2010, a.titolo has become the artistic director of the triennial Cesac, Experimental Center for Contemporary Arts at the Filatoio di Caraglio (CN). www.atitolo.it

19:00 - Monday, September 12

Lorenzo Germak

Paratissima, parallel reappropriations

Lorenzo Germak and this mates (Raffaella Cinti, Valeria Buonomo, Daniele Ratti, Christian Cadeddu) had the idea of ​​giving a space and a voice to the art of those who feel like artists and to do so, create a great artistic event. Since 2005, the Para Group has organized the first event in a small alternative/abandoned space with a few dozen artists. Today, after 5 years, with the event Paratissima, Para Group has organized a festival of contemporary creativity with more than 500 emerging artists/creatives and 80,000 visitors in 4 days of events in the San Salvario area of Turin.

Lorenzo Germak graduated in Architecture at Politecnico di Torino. He continued his studies with a Master in "Management of the environment and the landscape" at the Institute of Geography, University of Milan (2002) and with the Course in International Project Management by Fondazione Fitzcarraldo (2004).
He is a researcher at the Cultural Observatory of Piedmont Region (OCP) and consultant at Fitzcarraldo Consulting Ltd. He is co-founder in 2004 of YLDA Association, a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase youth involvement in the dynamics of transformation and enhancement of our territory. Among the activities promoted by YLDA he has been coordinating "Stessopiano" since 2008: the first front office in Italy for social housing and cohabitation among young people. He is co-founder, and since 2007 the coordinator of Paratissima, a festival of contemporary art and creativity emerging in Turin. He is co-founder of Giusti Eventi Ltd, a company founded in 2009 aimed to design and organize opportunities for communications according to a new culture of social and environmental responsibility, with clear standards of sustainability, solidarity and equity.

19:00 - Tuesday, September 13

Walter Nicolino

Augmented and responsive urban spaces

The digital revolution did not end up killing our cities, as predicted during the nineties, but neither did it leave them unaffected. A layer of networked digital elements has blanketed our environment, blending bits and atoms together in a seamless way.
Sensors, cameras and microcontrollers are used ever more extensively to manage city infrastructure, optimize transportation, monitor the environment and run security applications.
This feedback loop of digital sensing and processing can begin to influence various complex and dynamic aspects of the city, improving the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the places we inhabit.
The implications for urban spaces and architectural aesthetics are interesting: for several years architecture has attempted to mimic in formal terms the rapid flow of digital information, now we have the chance to create augmented and responsive spaces using citizens themselves as intelligent actuators.

Walter Nicolino (born 1975), founder and partner of the office carlorattiassociati - walter nicolino & carlo ratti, is an architect practicing in Turin.
He graduated from the Politecnico di Torino in 2003, with an urban design project awarded with Honorable Mention in the Archiprix 2003 – World’s Best Graduation Projects.
Involved in several projects of the MIT Senseable City Lab, he is often invited as visiting lecturer to numerous Universities and cultural institutions.
His practice in Turin focuses on the encounter between digital technology and architecture as one of its main research topics.
The firm’s works has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2004, 2006 and 2010; the “Compendium Exhibition” at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London; Beyond Media, the festival of digital architecture in Florence; Digital_Minimal, an exhibition at the MIT Museum in Cambridge (MA), and KMZERO11 in Turin.
Among Walter's other competitions and awards are the Honorable Mention for Europan 7; the Second Prize for a community center in the city of Jurmala, Latvia and the selection, together with an international team of artist and designers, for the final phase of the competition for the new tower landmark to be placed on the site of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Walter Nicolino, together with Carlo Ratti, was recently awarded Second Prize in the first edition of the Renzo Piano Foundation Award.

Turin

In their spare time, students will appreciate the city of Turin, the major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city is 909,193 while the Turin metropolitan area is 2.2 million.
The city has a rich culture and history, and is known for its numerous art galleries, restaurants, churches, palaces, operahouses, piazzas, parks, gardens, theatres, libraries, museums and other venues. Turin is well-known for its baroque, rococo, neo-classical, and Art Nouveau architecture.
The city currently hosts some of Italy's best universities and academies, important museums, such as the Museo Egizio and the Mole Antonellian. Turin's several monuments and sights make it one of the world's top 250 tourist destinations, and the tenth most visited city in Italy.
Turin is well known as the home of the Shroud of Turin, the football teams Juventus and Torino, the headquarters of automobile manufacturers Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo, and as host of the 2006 Winter Olympics (wikipedia).

Fitzlab

On the first day students will be welcomed at FitzLab.

FitzLab is an open space for developing ideas and projects opened in an abandoned factory, the ex Tobler. It is a laboratory where the knowledge and expertise of associations, enterprises and citizens converge.
Here creative realities co-inhabit, the cultural managers and designers of the future will be formed, and we will discuss how culture and art can change the face of a city and people's lives.
It is a pleasant, enriching and positive meeting minicampus where ideas turn into projects.
It is a place where facilities and equipment combine efficiency and comfort, places of concentration and relaxation areas, enriched by installations and pieces of art lent or donated by artists.
It hosts students and cultural workers and staff of some associations. It offers hospitality for seminars, debates and meetings.
FitzLab is a project open to contributions from everyone.
FitzLab is in Turin, Via Aosta, in the Aurora district, at No. 8 in a ex chocolate factory, the Tobler.

FitzLab
via Aosta 8 - 10152 - Torino
google maps

The Valentino Castle

Students from the second to the fifth day will have lecture and their workshop at V9 room in the Valentino Castle royal courtyard.

The Valentino Castle is a historic building in the northwest Italian city of Turin. It is one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997. This campus is located in Valentino Park and houses the First and Second Schools of Architecture. Valentino Park extends along the left bank of the river Po at the foot of the hills, between the King Umberto I and Princess Isabella bridges. It is very close to the center of town, and about one kilometer from the Porta Nuova main railway station.
The present Valentino palace of the Savoy dynasty derives from various projectural phases which began in the mid-1500s. After a complex series of changes of owners, it was given by Duke Carlo Emanuele I to his daughter-in-law, young Cristina di Francia - who, in 1621, commissioned radical structural changes to the riverside residence, in conformity with the French "pavillon-système" (a project by Carlo di Castellamonte, from 1621 to1641). This resulted in the definition of the towers on the river side, the wings, the roofs "in the French style". The anterior towers and the original connecting wings are the work of Amadeo di Castellamonte (from 1641).  The completion of the project is testified to in the two incisions of the Theatrum Sabaudiae in 1682. In the 1700s, the palace had already lost its significance as a noble "country" residence. Reconstruction and amplification of the connecting wings was undertaken in order to host the Industrial Exposition of 1858; then in 1859 the building was ceded to the "Regia Scuola di Applicazione per gli Ingegneri" and is now property of the Politecnico.

Castello del Valentino
viale Pier Andrea Mattioli, 39 - 10125 - Torino
google maps

Piazza Alimonda

During their urban exploration, the students will pass through the Aurora quarter and neighboring piazza Alimonda. The information gathered will then be analyzed and construct the basis upon which the installation project will be elaborated.
The piazza is surrounded by trees with a playground on one side and a vast open space on the other side. The Circoscrizione 7 is interested in redefining and restoring the balance of the public space by endowing it with new installations and structures for children and families residing in this neighborhood.

Piazza Alimonda
Via Alimonda - Torino
google street view

1st Deadline: August 1, 2011
Tuition Payment: 490 €
 

[Torino, August 3rd, 2011] Eight cantidate were selected with the first submission deadline. More than 10 students can be selected with the second one. Alessandro Grella per Izmo

The application for admittance must be submitted by August 1, 2011 to the email: associazione@izmo.it. The applications must include a single attached file containing: a CV and a letter of motivation in which the candidate expresses the reasons for which he or she should be selected (500 characters max).
The applications will be evaluted by a committee formed by members of Izmo.  The students will be selected on the basis of the similarities between the candidate's profile and the objectives of the Summer School, and will be evaluated in the order in which they are received. Non italian students will be given preference.
The committee's final decision will be communicated via electronic mail to each candidate by 24:00 on August 3, 2011. Selected candidates will have 7 days' time (by the 10th of August) to complete the application process by submitting the indicated tuition payment.
In the unexpected case of a candidate not being able to take part in the course, a reimbursement will be provided in the amount of 50% of the submitted tuition payment.

Dora Park and Environment Park

The first leg of the field trip will be Dora Park and Environment Park. Students will go through the transformation zone that extends north of Turin.
In the past the area was characterized by a large industrial center straddling the River Dora. Since the early '90s, Environment Park has begun the process of redefining itself. Environment Park was established in 1996 and represents a unique example of science and technology parks in Europe for having been able to combine technological innovation and eco-efficiency.
The redevelopment project involves the establishment of a broad mix of functions - including residences, commercial spaces, offices, laboratories, research centers and production centers and spaces for recreational activities - as well as the restoration and conversion of adequate spaces for producing advanced works, in the prestige buildings once occupied by the Officine Savigliano and the Paracchi Society.
An important element of the transformation of the area concerns the construction of large infrastructure projects that would redefine the viability of the area and its connection with the rest of the city.
Finally Dora Park is in the heart of the great transformation with its 456,000 square meters (designed by Peter Latz) that make up one of the largest green areas in Turin. The park, which is built on an area that was once occupied by large manufacturing plants and the natural environments, integrates existing structures from the industrial past of the area.  It is made up of significant elements that weren’t demolished including the cooling tower of Michelin and the great stripping structure and the steel boiler of Fiat.

Spina 3 and 4

On a private bus the students will pass through the "Spina Centrale": a huge panoramic boulevard which crosses the city north to south, created as a cover for underground railway.
The boulevard is an element of suturing between the neighbourhoods in the past divided by the railway. Today the street has also become a space for contemporary artworks, where some precious works can be admired, like the Fountains-Igloo by Mario Merz, the Opera per Torino by Per Kirkeby and the Albero Giardino by Giuseppe Pennone.
In addition to the Spina, many spaces dedicated to contemporary art have been created in the dismantled factories surrounding the city, like the Foundation Sandretto Re Rebaudengo and Foundation Merz. Some further projects are in the process of being staged, which will present works by prestigious artists the likes of Jan Kounellis, Giulio Paolini, Michelangelo Pistoletto.
The tour will reach also the OGR – Officine Grandi Riparazioni: a masterpiece of industrial architecture in the heart of Turin. These immense workshops were opened at the end of the 19th century in order to construct and maintain the railway locomotives and carriages, becoming a spur to urban development and an important lynchpin of the city’s history. On 2011 OGR is one of the two centers for celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy.

Former Wholesale Market, Lingotto and Italia '61 Park

Students will be accompanied to the south of Turin, riding along the railroad passing through some of the landmarks of the city's industrial past. Beginning with MOI: the former Wholesale Market transformed to host events during the Olympic Games of 2006 then continuing to walk under the big red arch until reaching Lingotto and its roof.
Lingotto was one of the main offices of the Fiat. Its construction dates back to 1916 and is characterized by a formal organization instrumental in the production of cars, as evidenced by the futuristic test track on the roof. Once industrial production ceased, the factory has undergone a long process of restructuring (by Renzo Piano) and is now a big center with multipurpose exhibition spaces, offices, a conference center, an auditorium, shops, hotels and it houses the Department of Automotive Engineering.
On the other side of this district we will reach the Automobile Museum, originally a symbol of the industrial development of the city in 1960 and now completely refurbished by the recent restoration by Cino Zucchi, and the Italy '61 area (a site of many events held for the centenary of the first Unification of Italy) with buildings such as the Pala Vela (former Exhibition Hall with its characteristic "sailing" roof, restored to host the 2006 Olympics skating competitions) and the Palazzo del Lavoro (engineering masterpiece by Pier Luigi Nervi whose future use is now the subject of many discussions).

Amantes

Via Principe Amedeo 38/a, Torino
+39 011 8172427
amantes05@arteca.org
http://www.arteca.org
access granted with Turin's ARCI pass
Closed: Sunday || Hours: 18.00-01.30

Circolo Culturale Amantes, in the heart of downtown, is divided into two parts: the street gallery that hosts and promotes events and exhibitions since 1996 of video art, new media, photography, writing and independent film, and the true bar itself which offers its own drinks and music programs in a warm, lively and creative atmosphere.

Caffè del progesso

Corso San Maurizio 69 - 10124 Torino
+39 011 837914
info@caffedelprogresso.it
http://www.caffedelprogresso.it
CHIUSURA: / || Hours: 07.00-03.00

This historical Turin locale on Corso San Maurizio occupies three floors of the building designed by Alessandro Antonelli that houses the ancient oven of the Vanchiglia village (still visible in the basement). The venue, in addition to being a cocktail bar, restaurant and popular aperitivo spot, often organizes cultural events and music of various kinds, from theatrical performances to art exhibitions, concerts and DJ sets.

Pastis

Piazza Emanuele Filiberto 9/b, 10124 Torino
+39 011 5211085
Closed: Monday || Hours: 8:00-02:00

Caffè, bistrot and cocktail bar in the lively piazza Emanuele Filiberto, in the heart of the Roman Quarter and just up the street from the Porta Palazzo marketplace. The atmosphere is a bit retro, a bit french, definitely enjoyable. This place is frequented by writers, artists and musicians, and often plays host to temporary exhibitions of emerging artists.
 

Artintown

Via Bertollet 25, 10125 Torino
+39 338 3844644
segreteria@artintown.it
http://www.artintown.it
Closed: Monday || Hours: 19.00-02.00

Meeting place of the lively neighborhood of San Salvario, this locale is not only part of the ARCI circle but a cultural center as well, the site of important events in contemporary art, design, music, cinema and video art. The club is housed in an independent building with two floors, featuring a warm, friendly atmosphere and interesting artistic events.

Esperia

Corso Moncalieri 2, 10131Torino
info@esperia-torino.it
www.esperia-torino.it
O11 8190679
Closed: / || Hours: /

This charming villa on the river Po, an element of architectural and cultural heritage of the city of Turin, has been the home of the Rowing Club Esperia for over 200 years. An elegant and exclusive club that organizes DJ sets in the pool area is a relaxed locale overlooking the Po with the privileged glimpse of the Murazzi and Piazza Vittorio.

Caffè Liber

Corso Vercelli 2, 10152 Torino
+39 011 7651610
info@cafeliber.it
http://www.cafeliber.it
Closed: Sunday and Monday || Hours: 19.00-02.30

The Association Caffè Liber is active in cultural, recreational and aggregative sector, proposing initiatives in music, film, visual arts, entertainment, theater and literature. This venue collaborates with important cultural events in Turin and organizes exhibitions and special evenings with readings, appetizers, DJ sets, concerts and video projections. In summer the small and pleasant green area on the rooftop terrace of the restaurant must be enjoyed.

Imbarchino Valentino

Viale Cagni 37, Parco del Valentino,Torino
+39 011 6566359
info@imbarchino.it
http://www.imbarchino.it
Closed: / || Hours: 9.00-2.00

The imbarchino is a very impressive location inserted in a natural setting in the Valentino Park on the banks of the Po river and owes its name to its original function: from here one could rent boats and canoes to navigate the river. From 11 o'clock in the morning you can sit under the arbor of the terraces and sip a cool drink, read a book from the local Small Community Library, browse the internet, eat and relax. In the evening there are DJ sets, concerts, film screenings, making this one of the most popular sites in Turin.

Piola da Cianci

Largo IV marzo, 9/b - 10122 - Torino (TO)
011.19879451
dfamma@gmail.com
Closed: Sunday || Hours: 12:00-00.30

Piola by Cianci is situated in a picturesque square of the Roman quarter and is managed by John, Daniel, Mark and chef Maurizio. The restaurant with its dishes that rediscover the simple flavors characteristic of Turinese piola, a home-made pasta, has carefully chosen wine in bulk and, of course, there’s the exuberant presence of the restaurant’s managers!

For any tourist information please visit: www.turismotorino.org

Suggestions and must:

• Mole Antonelliana panoramic lift:
  • http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt/en/touristfacilities
  • http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt/turismo/ascensore.shtml
• City Sightseeing Torino
  • http://www.torino.city-sightseeing.it/eng/index.htm#
• The Sassi - Superga tram
  • http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt/en/touristfacilities/
  • http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt/turismo/sassisup.shtml
• La Venaria Reale
  • http://www.lavenaria.it/index_eng.shtml
  • http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt/avvisi/venaria2.shtml
• Boat trips along the river Po
  • http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt/en/touristfacilities/
  • http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt/turismo/navigazione.shtml