Galleria Mazzini a Genova
Ufficio progettazione comune di Genova
Genova
Among the various types of public urban spaces that exist, one may find a covered walkway, which anticipates areas of contemporary commercial centers. In Italy, there are important examples inspired by Parisian passages that hark from the bourgeois of the 1800s and among these is the shopping arcade, the Galleria Mazzini, which recalls the example of the Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade in Milano, created shortly before the Mazzini.
These types of passageways are created with unique designs that are enhanced by its decorated backdrops and transparent ceilings. The pavement designs continue right up to the edge of the buildings and give importance to each shop window. Furthermore they create a contrast with the surrounding area with their strong pavements which are dark, homogenous and severe. The effects of light on each individual slab, which are made from polished colombino stone, adds an almost playful element which creates a movement of light on the smooth surfaces. The occasional entrance of natural light permits one to observe the veins of the stone demonstrating its natural elegance.
The placement of the stone takes place along longitudinal lines which face the principal direction of the arcade. The two paths are created utilizing colombino stone and are laid in a regular manner. They are on occasion crossed by stone paths where the single stone slabs are placed in a traditional manner and it is these diverging styles that define the internal areas.
The entrance onto the principal concourse for pedestrians usually occurs in a perpendicular manner to the main path and is indicated on the pavement by an octagonal geometric design which is inserted and lined in the color purple. The vertical view is characterized by serlian windows which take reference from the lines of the building. Within the perimeter created from slabs of purple, there are lithic insertions that are comprised of alternating white and grey colors where the veins of the stone are evident. Towards the center part of the square where an octagon appears, an insertion is necessary to marry the various styles of the geometric perimeters and the two directions of the placement of the stone. This solution is created by filing the area with a variety of different types of pieces of stone.
These types of passageways are created with unique designs that are enhanced by its decorated backdrops and transparent ceilings. The pavement designs continue right up to the edge of the buildings and give importance to each shop window. Furthermore they create a contrast with the surrounding area with their strong pavements which are dark, homogenous and severe. The effects of light on each individual slab, which are made from polished colombino stone, adds an almost playful element which creates a movement of light on the smooth surfaces. The occasional entrance of natural light permits one to observe the veins of the stone demonstrating its natural elegance.
The placement of the stone takes place along longitudinal lines which face the principal direction of the arcade. The two paths are created utilizing colombino stone and are laid in a regular manner. They are on occasion crossed by stone paths where the single stone slabs are placed in a traditional manner and it is these diverging styles that define the internal areas.
The entrance onto the principal concourse for pedestrians usually occurs in a perpendicular manner to the main path and is indicated on the pavement by an octagonal geometric design which is inserted and lined in the color purple. The vertical view is characterized by serlian windows which take reference from the lines of the building. Within the perimeter created from slabs of purple, there are lithic insertions that are comprised of alternating white and grey colors where the veins of the stone are evident. Towards the center part of the square where an octagon appears, an insertion is necessary to marry the various styles of the geometric perimeters and the two directions of the placement of the stone. This solution is created by filing the area with a variety of different types of pieces of stone.
