Grid of Agreement

The project is about the revival of the ecosystem on the Terzo Giardino waterfront and the Arno River in Florence, Italy. Grid of Agreement is a metaphore of the project - a place, where human connect with the nature by using the grid system. All was inspired by environment of the place and was created in the rhythm of renaissance.

THE CONCEPT

The goal was to create a green space, „oasis” in a crowded city. 

These days Terzo Giardino is a dilapidated wetland area without favorable conditions for plants. The potential of this spot gives us the oportunity to create a good space to do a lot of different activities. The space is organised and closed in rectangles. The order is slowly emerges from the natural green and similarly disappears in the river on the other end of the land. There are open and semi-open spaces. The concept proposes the new activity like piers with boats for cruises or independent expeditions.

Florence looking from the top has a tight urban development, light elevations and rooftops in ocher color. The river Arno is like a border that shows, that on the other side of the city is more green, closer to nature. The concept was to create a green landmark for the city.

THE GRID 

Grid of Agreement is a metaphore of the project, where human connect with the nature. Inspiration for the grid were italian renaissance elevations, where the rectangular shapes are arranged in rows. In the conception each shape has its own function. Around each of them there are 1,5 meters wide paths, to easily get around each of them.

The difficulties of the area are the constant flooding and high temperature which results in a devastated land and hard cultivation of plants. By creating retential channels the water may flood the ground less frequently. Terzo Giardino is naturally green. The concept was to help the nature and  rebuild the lack of river's ecosystem. Channels have the vegetation resulting from the analysis of the Arno River bottom f.ex.: Zannichellia palustris, Persicaria amphibia, Bidens tripartita, Sparganietum erecti, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Callitriche and more.The land is full of the field plants that grow on the natural green side and on the crops beds. They also can be irrigated by conecting them to created retential channels. To make the place more characteristic the idea was, to use the vegetation as the main idea of the project and use it as a products to sell.Many of them have healing properties or are perfect for drinking, rubbing or aromatherapy. The new function and eco-thinking style of the place can be a good landmark for the city Florence and its future apperance.

The Tea Pavilion is a stone building on the horizontal plan. It has the groin vaulted ceiling, inspired by Florence Renaissance. The plan is symmetrical and minimalistic. The conception includes the bar and the backroom in the middle of the building. The dryed flowers and herbs are brought to the Tea Pavilion from the Dryer buildings and then the napars are created directly on this spot. It can be also a selling space of tea, napars, syrops, essential oils and more. 

The building has two entrances and many windows with the view of the painting landscapes full of fauna and flora.The pavilion is surrounded by the plaza with benches and recreation spaces. Before the building there is a big pond with the recreated water ecosystem. It can also be a space for the birds and smaller animals, that people can watch and learn about from the information cards placed around. Back, there is the main plaza with the retention channels that can be used by visitors to cool down on hot days. Near by, there are wooden platforms with boats. 

THE ENDING SPOT

At the end of the waterfront, the moment where the pieces are running out of order and come to the water, there is a semi-open space overlooking the sculpture. 

In the concept the chosen artpiece is the Spring in the guise of Flora (1616-17) by a sculptor Pietro Bernini, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini’s father. The sculpture becomes a symbol of a place, that shows the relationship between human and flora. There is also a view for the Ponte alle Grazie and the boats that pass under it. It all ends here... 

GRID OF AGREEMENT WITH THE PASSING TIME

The project is a long-term, varied effect of nature itself. The concept involves the reconstruction of the ecosystem, the creation of a home for plants and zones of various activities for waterfront users. Due to the changing water level, some of the platforms will hide and reveal again. The surrounding nature will surprise its changeability as the seasons change. the goal is to slowly create a lively place, uncontrolled nature, so that the people of the city have the opportunity to appreciate how important it is in their lives. 

The Tearoom and selling products may become something that the city of Florence will be associated with.