De Castelli

BIENNALE ARCHITETTURA 2023 – It’s kind of a Circular story

Italy-based architecture firm AMAA presents a unique project at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. The project proposes an unprecedented architectural and morphological renewal of a complex site: the former NATO base in Monte Calvarina. AMAA’s installation in the main exhibition, curated by Lesley Lokko and located at the Corderie, is titled “It’s Kind of a Circular Story.” It provides a virtuous example of re-inventing former carbon intensive military facilities as new zero-emission hubs for innovation. A weighty model of the Monte Calvarina project rests on a delicate, wide table crafted from salvaged brass scraps. The table, conceived by AMAA, was made using repurposed brass sheets that were previously considered as waste materials from De Castelli’s production process. AMAA gave a new purpose to the discarded sheets, demonstrating the aesthetic and functional possibilities of sustainable design. Some details of the table’s design process were the result of dialogue and collaboration with Arcangelo Sassolino, an artist and friend of the studio. Specifically, this involved the decision to achieve the table’s autonomy using only perforated plates without adding any additional support layers. This was possible through the materials themselves and the multiple relationships between surface and depth. To provide support for the weight of the model, the brass sheets rest on a sturdy mesh of metallic sawhorses, providing a modern take on the traditional blacksmith’s sawhorses.

Project photos Mikael Olsson
"Making of" photos Blaa Universe
Photos Courtesy AMAA
建築家 Studio AMAA
場所 Biennale Architettura
年 2023