UMANO
Create an Urban space where it is possible to associate the exponential increase in people's psychological distress to the lack of places that can offer a contact with nature
Climate pressure
Thesis project
Description
“Man is the victim of an environment which refuses to understand his soul.”
- Charles Bukowski, Tales of Ordinary Madness, 1989, p. 97 The project idea consists in the creation of an interactive recreational area located in a public space where to immerse yourself in nature. The primary intent is to associate the exponential increase in people’s psychological distress to the lack of places that can offer a contact with nature. Secondly, the project also consists in the requalification of the vast area of the former Lido di Verona swimming pools, a portion of land adjacent to the city ancient walls. Since 2020 the structure has remained unused due to the social restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. At present the abandoned cemented area covers approximately 20,000.00 m2. “UMANO” presents the vision of a design grounded in the protection and requalification of public natural spaces within urbanised cities. The project focuses on mental wellbeing and related activities: it is a multifunctional space that aims to play a social role in taking care of the psychophysical health of the users and to shed the light on the importance of offering to the community spaces that provide a bucolic immersion. The observation and analysis of psychocognitive needs led to the creation of a welcoming, stimulating environment that leverages on the benefits of nature. The psychological distress and an urban environment that is uncomfortable, non-ergonomic, labeled and oppressive, seems unable to meet the people and citizens’ needs: “UMANO” will boost individual and collective creativity, encourage self-expression and its own creative use without exerting emotional stress or causing negative feelings. The space offers different areas dedicated to specific activities, multi-activities areas and neutral areas, a semi-open versatile space encouraging different perceptual experiences. The integration of Perceptual Psychology in the design approach in terms of volumes, colours, materials, lights and spaces led to the creation of immersive sensory paths, meditation areas, spaces for inner reflection, creative production, interactive installations and perceptual games based on mental wellbeing. The project physical features and elements have been designed addressing the psychophysical needs that are not fulfilled by public common spaces. The user will be free to take different paths, therefore creating a feeling of individual freedom. The entire space is made of several perceptual paths that stimulate creativity, playing, free association, imagination, creativity and personal growth. “UMANO” is a creative space free from symbolic constraints and obligations, where humans can get closer to a feeling of natural, primordial freedom. Human complexity is something we will always have to deal with, but we actually have the chance to move, choose, imagine and create. “UMANO” is a monument to the everlasting union between nature and mental health.
