Regeneration

Hackney Downs Studios

Acting as principle architect, this redevelopment involved a multifaceted approach to regeneration that has moved from architectural survey to masterplan vision, site studies and construction with the realisation of small-scale phased projects. The aim was to transform this 8000 sqm old warehouse building located in Hackney (London) in a community space that provides studios to let and venues to hire for the creative enterprise sector. The building was divided in studio spaces (around 60%), events spaces and facilities (40%). The building had 1000 sqm courtyard that was opened up to the public and used as a public square. This transformation allowed to reactivate this abandoned corner of Dalston, by opening and facilitating the connection between Amhurst Road and Hackney Downs Park, making the area safer and the surrounding more pleasant.  

Hackney, London, 2011-2013, EatWorkArt, Team : Iolanda Bianchi, Robert Jamison

Labcittà 0

The no-for-profit organisation MettiamoSuBottega worked together with neighbourhood residents, public bodies and local organisations to set up a five-days-public festival – LABCITTA’- and to bring the attention to this small piece of abandoned land, located in Trani, Puglia, Italy. Originally, it was supposed to be a public plaza for the neighbourhood, with greenery and playgrounds. According to the law N.1444 approved in 1968, when a new block of apartment is built, it is mandatory to provide at least 9sqm/inh of green space. This plot was supposed to be the green space of the neighbourhood, but it is just an hard-grey swimmingpool. The aim of the Festival was to make people aware of the potential of the space, in order to perceive it as a new resources for the area. It was also important to demonstrate that neither big money and big projects are needed to transform a space, but just the aspiration.

Trani, Italy, 2011. MettiamoSuBottega. Team: Iolanda Bianchi, Antonella Marlene Milano, Valentina Simone, Ivan Linares Quero, Cartaelatte, friends, volunteers and residents. Funding: Principi attivi 2010, Giovani Idee per una Puglia Migliore.

Labcittà green edition

This intervention represents the second edition of the first project LABCITTA, a regeneration initiative for a small abandoned plot located in Barletta, Puglia, Italy. This time the aim was to create, through a five-days-Festival, a more permanent project: a Mediterranean garden. We worked together with neighbourhood residents, local organisations, schools and local authorities to create it. In this way we aimed to strengthen the value of community in the neighbourhood, but we also aimed to leave a permanent garden that people could take care of.

Barletta, Italy, 2012. MettiamoSuBottega. Team: Iolanda Bianchi, Antonella Marlene Milano, Valentina Simone, friends, volunteers and residents. Funding: Principi attivi 2010, Giovani Idee per una Puglia Migliore.

Europan 11

Architectural competition, Europan Amstel III.

Project, 2011. Team: Iolanda Bianchi, Ivan Linares Quero, Arnau Texidor.