Federico Gessi

Redevelopment of the piazzale della Liberta' and surrounding areas - Waterfront

The area is located at the end of the main urban centre-sea axis (ancient Roman decumanus) and was originally built to crown the expansion of the city, which took place toward the sea in the early part of the 20th century. In the late 1960s, subsequent to demolition of the beachfront area (Kursaal), the current gardens were created, decorated by the Sfera Grande by Arnaldo Pomodoro. An area of strategic importance which lost along the way its role as a place of gathering and socialization, the new works have restored its pedestrian connection between the east and west beaches in a seamless "sand-wood-sand" walkway which makes it easier to cross the plaza, lending the area its role as "summer salon in the city".
The promenade was partially paved with quartz-slate stone and partly with Ipé wood, separated by a number of LEDs, while the handrail, the stairs down to the western beach and the light poles (designed by Federico Gessi) are in heat-glazed steel. The design concept focused on directly less light toward the sea so as to not compromise the view. This goal was repeated in the end portion of the new parapet, which features an open design to enable the best view of the sea from a sitting position, while the difference in level between the beach and the quay, to the west, made it possible to create an architectural element with a strong visual impact: a dynamic, three-dimensional shape in a variable section lightened by the use of microperforated sheet metal.

---

• 
• 
• 
• 



• 
• 
• 
• 



• 
• 
• 
• 



• 
• 
•