The proposal concerns the redevelopment of a popular residential area located in the San Biagio district, north of Ravenna’s city centre and aims to redevelop existing buildings and related public spaces which are in a state of decay.

The project aims to increase urban quality by rethinking public space through a new design of green areas and new activities aimed at stimulating social cohesion and integration.

A new main path consists of a single walkway in colored draining concrete that starting from the new building on Via Cicognani crosses the central part of the project area to connect the ground floors of the buildings subject to intervention. From this main walkway branch out secondary paths towards the existing urban surroundings.

New activities are places within the area as an area for sports, fitness and children’s play in the central part, while near the northern border an area for urban vegetable gardens has been

planned. The main path continues crossing the ground floor of a new residential building through the construction of two walkways.

The pilot plan of the building object of refurbishment has been redesigned as a cultural container of the area through the creation of new volumes for a public library (a place where citizens can exchange their books and stimulate reading and interaction) and an exhibition space available to residents for any cultural offer.

The new residential building is configured as the urban gateway to the new park and consists of four floors above ground plus the roof. The double-height sports area, accessible via external stairs or internal lift, stands between this floor and the ground floor.

The central stairwell leads to the gallery on the north side. From here the access to the units is guaranteed by a series of walkways near the entrance doors that detach the gallery itself from the windows of the apartments to ensure greater privacy.

The design choice of the gallery type was considered the most appropriate for the purpose of creating a social space to increase cohesion between residents, with a view of the new park, as well as allowing the construction of a single stairwell of vertical distribution. On the street side there are private balconies for all units, which are configured as two-area apartments with double facing. On the roof floor there is a recreational area for children with after-school functions, and the terrace for common use.

The architectural volume is enclosed within a metal grid that incorporates both the balconies and the gallery and the walkways on the north side, framing the entire building. The supporting structure is frame-type with reinforced concrete pillars and beams, while the building envelope is composed of insulated walls and aluminium windows.