The historical building of Costa Crociere company, society known for its beautiful cruise ships in the world, required a complete refurbishment necessary to create new spaces. A glazed double skin was added to the facade of the existing building with the double purpose of changing the look and improve the offices’ quality of life. When […]
07
Oct
Oct
The architect asked me to develop with him the design of the roof of the courtyard of a new shopping center. I still remember when we met he showed me the form he had in mind by a synchronous gesture with his hands simulating a wave; this was all we had to start our design […]
07
Oct
Oct
When I was invited by Mario to his office to discuss with him an engineering solution for the idea he had in mind, I still remember all his co-workers sitting in front of us while we were sketching our thoughts with a pencil on a white board. It really was a standing brainstorming. This structure […]
07
Oct
Oct
At first steel mullions were supposed to sustain the facade but, mainly due to a loss of visibility, the need to make all more transparent brought us to this last solution where glazing columns make all lighter. This façade is the main “shopfront” from where luxury yachts displayed inside the building are visible from outside. […]
07
Oct
Oct
The legendary Fontainbleau hotel on Miami beach is worldwide well recognized due to having been a set for the film “007”. Aside of the legendary hotel, the property has built a new residential tower. The tunnel that joins the old building to the tower also contains the valet and is made of stainless steel frames and […]
07
Oct
Oct
The original design for the façade was a standard mullions & transoms frame with glazing filled in. By discussing with the Architect, he asked for a more transparent solution; my proposal was to make a façade like a “tent” suspended to the roof and stiffened by ropes like those used for rigging of racing boats. […]
07
Oct
Oct
I met Massimo when he drawn his idea on a simple white sheet with colored pens. He said that his client (CMC in Miami) suggested to facetted the glazing and to use vertical and inclined mullions. When I told him his idea could be realized with curved and tapered glazing his eyes shone. I still […]
07
Oct
Oct
In 2002 prof. Portoghesi asked me to give him consultancy about how to cover an elliptical hole in the roof of a Mall inside le Meridien Hotel in Rimini. We suggested a tensile structure like a “cuttlefish bone” entirely made of pre-stressed ropes and surmounted by insulated glasses. This was our first “tensegrity” project. All […]