For the purpose of this architectural analysis, I will be following the framework of a Case Study as taught in Copenhagen, emphasizing the elements that, according to Danish design principles, form a balanced architectural whole – Form, Materiality, Light, and Circulation. These elements are contextualized in the conception and reception of the structure, taking into account any number of socio-economic and political considerations.
Abstract:
The Portici and Làbas, the subjects of this case study, are re-negotiated urban spaces within the fabric of Bologna. Negotiated space often puts in direct opposition the conception and the reception of the structures. Each of the two subjects were designed and instituted with specific purposes, and were subsequently reclaimed by the citizens of Bologna to be utilized as a space otherwise – whether to socialize, to consumerism, or even to nurture innovative political movements.
In terms of Urban Planning, the Portici represent a unique model of socially oriented architectural programming – an example of “private public space.” What initially was a means of affording charity towards pilgrims has shifted over time to offer shelter to all – oftentimes even vulnerable and unwelcome populations. Thus, they are considered a reference point for a sustainable urban lifestyle in which civic, religious, and living spaces for all social classes are integrated, whether successfully and unsuccessfully. Many in these groups repurpose the arches at will, touching upon broader societal issues.
Làbas, meanwhile, is a political collective that occupied first a former war barracks, Ex-Caserma Masini, and then shifted to a different building, a former monastery, Vicolo Bolognetti 2, both of which had experienced “environmental and cultural devastation” through its abandonment. Utilizing crowdsourcing for labor and recycled materials, Làbas transformed torture chambers into classrooms and clinics, serving some of the aforementioned communities of student-workers, immigrants and unemployed individuals, promoting revolutionary sociopolitical projects intended to disrupt present trends and injustices.
Instead of reconstructing altogether, ethnographic researcher Stéphane Tonnelat argues that cities like Bologna should employ urban preservation and renovation techniques in order to give back a range of spaces, both private and public, to citizens. Bologna’s innovative new spaces are the physical projection of a “model of social organization that brings together a built landscape and its way of life.”
Form:
Portici come in many different sizes, shapes, and styles. Bologna is home to the largest portico: Basilica of Santa Maria Dei Servi in Strada Maggiore, the highest portico: Palace of Bologna Archdiocese in via Altabella, the narrowest portico: Via Senzanome (95 cm of width). It is home to medieval style porticoes made of original wood built in the 15th century, such as the case in Casa Isolani/Via San Niccolò/Via Gombruti, Renaissance style porticoes such as the Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore in Via Zamboni/Palace Bolognini-Isolani/Casa Beccadelli in Santo Stefano, and Baroque porticoes such as the Portici del Baraccano.
Both the Ex- Caserma Masini and Vicolo Bolognetti 2 are united forms – both following a typical courtyard-centered architectural plan. Under the arches framing the courtyard, benches and picnic tables were installed, as well as temporary stands for local farmers and cooperatives to sell produce. Within the indoor spaces, the rooms on the upper levels were transformed into classrooms, clinics, and temporary housing, while the rooms on the base level were transformed into a kitchen, a portineria (concierge), a large hall for parties and presentations, and more. When the political organization found the space, the courtyard had been overtaken with forestry, invasive species such as mice and pigeons, and water infiltrations. The organization’s first project was to clear the courtyard and construct an urban garden, Orteo, using sustainably sourced materials and the building of which was in collaboration with the residents of the neighborhood and the “Terra di Nettuno” guerilla gardening organization.
Materiality:
Light – Artificial vs. Natural:
The portici, in their natural form, allow light to filter through the sides, forming a very interesting and repetitive pattern of arch-shaped infiltrations of light reflected on the ground, as visible in the photos below. In covering the top, acting as a sort of roof, however, they block the hard sunlight or rain and instead provide a filtered version of light, and therefore are a useful tool in sheltering from harsh weather. At night, it is not uncommon for the portici to utilize artificial yellow lights, which reverberate off of the Bologna red color of the facade of buildings, blanketing everything in a haze-y yellow.
Diagram above showing ambient (blue/gray) vs. filtered (yellow) quality of light
Làbas, internally, like any other structure, utilizes artificial light, but it’s courtyard, wherein most of its key events take place, is completely in absence of a roof and therefore lit 100% naturally.
Circulation:
The Portici allow for uninhibited access of the residents to their city, and therefore offer whole and un-interrupted circulation. Whereas in the city center, many streets are closed off to cars denoted as “ZTL – Zona Traffico Limitato” (Limited Traffic Zones), every corner in Bologna is accessible by foot, and the arches allow for this circulation despite weather conditions.
As visible in the photo above, all 62 km, or 38 miles, of the Portici are depicted in red. One can see that they span out, both vertically and horizontally (and even diagonally) from the city center. Those areas that remain in grey are filled with parks and outdoor lots, remaining for the most part uncovered. The Portici offer shelter, thus, over almost any route conceivable within the city walls.
Vicolo Bolognetti 2 (The current home of Làbas) architecturally speaking, is an intentional plan – one enters and is immediately greeted with the concierge and ample indoor space to socialize, sit and work, followed by an immediate and direct corridor leading to the courtyard where markets and events are held- as such it really emphasizes itself primarily as a social center ushering those in the space into the center, the heart of Làbas. The upper levels, on the other hand, offer classrooms, clinics, and temporary housing. The border of the courtyard is packed with tables, chairs, and stands, while the courtyard itself deliberately kept empty to be able to transform based on need – it thus can accommodate sit-in demonstrations and debates, open-air food markets, performances and film screenings, or simply a location for children to play.
Conception and Reception:
Portici have taken on many meanings for the Bolognesi – accademici, commerciali, devozionali (academic, commercial, and devotional) respectively serving different locations and different populations of Bologna. To this day, they remain synonymous with Bologna, and were nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. While they offer the opportunity to mingle, to be sheltered by weather, and as they act as extensions of storefronts, museums, clubs and restaurants, they have also been a critical tool in both crime and political activism – they provide an optimal location to post flyers and posters -recruiting unsuspecting fellow passersby and converting them to participants, while also enabling criminals to organize themselves in their shelter. As one nears the more tumultuous areas of Bologna, it is not at all uncommon to find graffiti, banners and posters of a revolutionary nature framed perfectly under the portici, as visible in the photos below.
Làbas reception in Bologna from the first day they occupied the Ex-Caserma Masini has been tumultuous – never one of peaceable origin. Làbas capitalized on this by offering press reviews and guided tours to public assemblies (along with breakfast) for 1 euro every morning – generating income to fund their crowdsourcing and projects. During the first months in Bologna, Làbas utilized the former war barracks to conduct flash mobs, strikes, demonstrations and assemblies against a variety of public enemies – wealth redistribution, unemployment, the price of bus tickets, Airbnb, the construction of a private Agri-Food park FICO Eataly, and more. This led to their first eviction about one month after occupation on 21 December 2012. Shortly thereafter, Làbas occupied Vicolo Bolognetti 2, launching even more ambitous projects such as Campi Aperti, a weekly organic market of local producers, and various commitments to the “Crowdhousing project” occupying and reconstruction abandoned apartment in the nearby area, giving housing to dozens of homeless individuals. For many residents, Làbas represented political insurgents sanctioning and exploiting abandoned spaces for their own private use. For others, they represent a common good: in fact about one year after their first eviction, on 17 December 2013, over 300+ Bolognesi residents came together to ask the local government for the formal recognition of the Làbas collective as a public organization and the ceasing of eviction attempts. Làbas continues to occupy, claiming “the collective right to decide on the use and destination of the territories in which we live, the origin of the foods we eat, the right to the city and therefore the right to decide which city to build, the right to urban life, housing, places of meeting and sharing, a collective right which means changing ourselves by changing the city we want.”