International Symposium, 2006
" Rediscovery of Waterfront Spaces in Central Italy−Case Studies of Parma and Fontanellato"

Date： 15, Apr. 2006 (Sat) 13:00-17:00
Place: Large/medium meeting rooms, '80 Building, Ichigaya Campus of Hosei Univ.

"Methodological Transformation of Architectural Design and Research Studies in Italy"
Universita degli Studi di Parma, Architect,
Alberto Mambriani
The presentation was based on my researches and experiences as an architect for 50 years.
The architecture is to create something new, by linking cities and buildings through the dialogue between the present with the past. I learned this through my teachers and my own experiences. For example, one of my teachers, Carlo Scarpa renovated historical buildings with artisans and created poetic spaces. From art works of Gaibazzi, I have learned the importance to handle my works with subtlety and patience. Villa Adoriana of Piranesi is noteworthy because it molded the idea of the past into shape. The point of view of the past was reflected to his etching works and drawings.
I have faced the past through conservation and renovation works. For example, the renovation plan for a district of Parma aimed to lead people to enter into the city by rearranging streets and renovating buildings along the streets. One of the cases of restoration, was the Fortress of Berceto, where the history of the castle was linked to the renovation works. We can read the history from the ruin of the castle, which had been gradually expanded, along with the technological development. For a bank in Fontanellato, the external renovation work was limited only to the details such as glass; however, the interior was renovated with little restraint.
Among the works of Renzo Piano, the auditorium in Parma is one of the remarkable examples of renovation of former milling factory. He utilizes various materials specific for each place, and to create local-specific architecture.
In addition, architects are required to consider landscape planning for each architectural planning. For example, Gabetti&Isola planned the house with wonderful integration with the road in harmony with its surrounding environment in Olibetti. Another example of integration of architecture and landscape is the court building of Alba.
My collaborative plan with Toni Follina for competition of Museum of Ancient Egypt planned around Pyramid of Cairo, proposed a traffic line toward the Pyramid, linking with the museum in harmony with the surrounding environment.
Lastly, we will see the case of a park in the city core of Parma, which was planned by Mario Botta. His plan initially included a huge building, subjected to criticism by specialists including me, and was changed into the one based on large open spaces. Now, the space functions as a void space with trees planted in the location where the columns once existed, evoking old memories of the site.
The case studies through history of recent 50 years of the Italian architecture confirmed the close relationship with memories and environments.

"Water City, Fontanellato−Historical Formation of Spatial Structure−"
Graduate student of Universita degli Studi di Parma
Fedelica Ottoni
The waterfront space is one of the most important elements for contemporary urban planning. The presentation will focus on the relationship between the acropolis in Fontanellato located near Parma of northern Italy, and its surrounding areas. In addition, the methodology of urban planning will also be discussed.
The aim of this research was to make a renovation plan of the castle as "Water Museum" based on the history of the city, through reevaluation of the existing irrigation facilities. Firstly, we conducted a field survey of the castle, and clarified its transformation process according to the move of the canal flow. Based on the result of research, we planned the Water Museum in the basement of the castle.
The castle of Fontanellato had always served an important role in controlling surrounding areas; and the canal had been critical for the purpose. Through the analysis of historical documents on the construction of the castle, we showed the view of the castle along at that time along with its surrounding environments. The San Vitales had governed the land during six centuries; we studied the unreleased documents of Earl of San Vitale to understand the development processes of their rules and territories. By superposing old maps on current ones, we plotted lost, remaining and newly built building elements on the map, such as water mills, canals, and expressways. There was no map for the territory of the San Vitales, we studied the move of the borderline between the 16th century and 1855 from literary document; and clarified that the border is determined by river flow in each period. Canals and water transportation not only limited territory of the San Vitales, but supported economic activities of surrounding areas. Furthermore, it formed the landscape of the area.
Canals were flowing around and inside of the town Currently, the canal outside of the town was covered to become streets, but inside one still flows.
The renovation plan of the castle was inspired by the remaining canal. Through actual measurement of harbor and the basement of the castle, we proposed an underground Water Museum, and new approach to the castle. A dark room with a well and without window, was planned as a meeting room. The library was planned in the core of the castle, as a place where we would begin study of the place. Furthermore, the castle was approached by a boat-shaped bridge (made of a real boat) from the canal, back of the castle.
The plan fully utilizes the historical consideration over the castle and surrounding environments; for the water museum, we evaluated the natural environment around the castle and used the canal symbolically. In other words, the plan focused on the canal hidden underground of the castle and utilize the environment based on water.

"Parma−Urban Formation from the Viewpoint of Water−"
Universita degli Studi di Parma, Architect,
Marco Bennicelli
As illustrated in many drawings, Parma is composed of new area on the left bank, old city dating back to Roman times on the right bank, and the river between them.
In the Bronze Age, river level had been higher than today. The archeological survey in 1864, clarified that residences had been built on the water of the river in the Bronze age. The city was developed from the right bank, which was higher and drier than the left bank.
Although a bridge was built over the river, the river flow was moved to the left bank side because of the flood. As a result, the bridge lost its original function. However, some remains of the bridge can be seen when the water level is low even today. In the basement of the buildings on the right bank, old bridge piers can also be found. Because the river flow moved to the left bank through floods, the urban area gradually developed on the side.
Three canals were flowing within the city. The transportation of stone materials to build a cathedral or baptistry were transported on these canals. The water flowing within the city was sometimes considered to be divine and the canal water was used in the baptistry. Furthermore, we can see that everyday life of citizens was close to water from the pictures of 1800's; for example, river water ad been utilized for laundry.
Each bank divided by the river reveals different social structure. The major buildings like a cathedral, residences of aristocrats, baptistries, etc. are lined along the river on the right bank originated in the Roman times. On the other hand, houses of commoners and hospitals are commonly seen on the left bank. The ancient documents described that the right bank presented a rich space and people live poorly in small houses on the left bank. Hospitals have long history characterizing the towns on the left bank. Patients, poor people, people flooded out from the right bank gathered in hospitals. However, the left bank presented bustling spaces with the common touch.
We can see the palace spread over both banks of the upper portion of the river in the map of 1592. A large garden was built between the town area and the palace, around which water was flowing, dividing the living spaces of commoners and noble spaces.
The river of Parma had a rapid current, and often caused flood damages, especially to the left bank. The flood control has been one of the critical issues for the citizens of Parma.
As we have seen, the river of Parma has affected the urban formation, resulting in different cultures and values on both banks.