CORNER 42
The lot at the corner of Via Alessandria and Via Lodi in the Aurora neighborhood, in Turin, Italy, used to be occupied by a building destined for tertiary sector businesses, leaving the intersection somewhat incomplete.
On Via Alessandria, the building adjoined a four-story residential structure: the
height difference left the latter’s blank façade fully exposed. On Via Lodi, the lot bordered a private passage owned by a workshop.
While the site lacked any significant architectural value, its construction elements embodied the memory of the neighborhood’s now-lost working-class and industrial identity. Thus, the redevelopment we proposed for the lot did not aim at preserving architectural form but rather at reclaiming that spirit, rebuilding a “missing” street corner.
The complex we envisioned seeks to become a defining feature in the neighborhood, by employing innovative construction models with an eye to the
future of the city.
The new, residential project combines two distinct architectural types: a linear
block and a tower. The vertical structure was erected on Via Alessandria, aligning with the blank side of the adjacent building, while the horizontal structure enclosed the internal courtyard, redefining the street frontage on Via Lodi.
The housing offering embraces the current “green” transformation of urban models, enhancing the potential for connections with the outdoor spaces with large windows and rooftop gardens. The concept of openness and interaction between inside and outside is further emphasized by the layout, which features a
grand staircase along the façade, bordered by a translucent wall that makes
movement within the building visible.
The project aligns with the wave of renewal that is sweeping through Aurora, one of the neighborhoods in Turin undergoing dynamic and enthusiastic change. In this context, reconstructing a street corner that did not exist takes on a broader meaning, transforming neighborhood life and fostering original community interactions.
