Work has begun on UN studio’s multifunctional harbour bridge in Genoa.
The Amsterdam-based firm led by Ben van Berkel was selected to design Ponte Parodi, the new 76 000 square meter waterfront complex that will include a brand new cruise terminal, making for the largest passenger port in Italy, as well as retail areas, gardens and a three-dimensional piazza.
The huge low-slung piazza will incorporate walkways and gardens running over the commercial spaces (around 80 shops in all) as well as cultural facilities and a 1200 seat auditorium.
The long-overdue complex will be built near to the Aquarium (second largest in Europe) designed by Genoa-based Renzo Piano and his Building Workshop alongside Peter Chermayeff and Cambridge Seven Associates for the1992 World Expo.
When completed in 2012 the waterfront project is expected to bring new life to the harbour area as well as allowing the largest cruise liners in the world to dock here.
