Natural materials such as wood and ceramics are used for the walk, with each ceramic tile being the element that divides the performance into several sections. Each ceramic piece has color and relief appropriate to the theme of each section of the walk.
Parco del Mare by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT. Photograph by Paolo Fassoli.
Parco del Mare by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT. Photograph courtesy IPM/Italia.
Project description by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT
The project stems from the need to create an urban environment dedicated to Rimini and to all ages, which can be enjoyed twelve months a year. The idea on which the project is based is to create an urban park with the function of generating a two-way connection between the city of Rimini and its sea. The Sea Park is developed over a total length of about 6 km, with the main purpose of promoting culture, wellness and sport. The project is the basis for the development of a large number of functions, activities that aspire to extend the use of the Park to the whole year round.
The strategies studied to make the waterfront a homogeneous linking element in its entirety are the presence of greenery, punctual elements such as artificial dunes, and the pre¬sence of paving stones that change surface and develop through sinuous lines (see pp. 2-4, Planimetrie tratti).
The project develops following the main themes of urban and coastal greenery, artificial dunes, and sinuous paving. The latter follow one another harmoniously along the whole seafront, connecting with the city through urban elements such as squares or streets, creating natural access points to the Park, thus enhancing the city's identity, and a newfound connection with the beach and the sea.
The urban and coastal greenery comes in different forms, such as lawns, shrubs of different heights and trees, so as to create natural shade over the entire promenade. In this way, the view of the sea and the horizon is never obstructed, enhancing the promenade through the presence of nature.
Parco del Mare by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT. Photograph by Paolo Fassoli.
The dunes, which are presented as puncti¬tual elements and at the same time constitute various aggregations, are characterised by an oblong shape reminiscent of certain fish (sardine, turbot), and have different uses and materials, identifying in their strategic repetition the main theme of the promenade and thus obtaining an ever-changing perspective depending on where you are.
The sinuous pavements in the project represent the identity of Rimini through different themes, depending on the stretch of promenade crossed. The themes used range from the city's ancient roots such as the Roman mosaics of the Surgeon's Domus, in the city's historic centre, to the shapes of the Malatesta Temple, paying homage to Fellini characters, recalling moments of fun and folkloric tradition such as ballroom dancing, exalting the importance of motors, the sea and allowing people to live in the local pinewoods (see p.41, Identity Themes).
Artificial dunes
Artificial dunes, used as punctual elements that follow one another with different den¬sity and size throughout the promenade, have found their definition in the dynamic shape of the fish.
In addition to being one of the main elements for joining all the promenade sections, the dunes also respond to the need to reduce the differences in height between the sandy shore and the promenade, thus managing, almost imperceptibly, to eliminate the impact of a vertical barrier that would eliminate the continuity between the city, the promenade areas, the beach and the sea.
Parco del Mare by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT. Photograph by Paolo Fassoli.
The dunes begin in strip A of the beach, gently connecting the level of the beach to that of the promenade, which is at a higher elevation. In this area, through low shrub vegetation, the dunes consolidate, becoming an element of fundamental importance for the vegetation of the promenade. In fact, they play the role of protection from the marine aerosol and allow the growth of the higher tree vegetation in the dunes on the promenade (see the typological sections) The dunes have been planned in different sizes and materials, ranging from 'green' dunes, in the form of large flowerbeds, to material dunes, made of wood or ceramic. By using the same shape, but varying their size and materials, these dunes are able to accommodate multiple functions within the Park.
By varying the density of the dunes themselves, it is possible to suggest the perception of the movement of shoals of fish in the sea, which group together and move apart according to specific needs. By enlarging or reducing their quantity and size, using the same geometric shape with appropriate minimum dimensional and proportional variations, it is possible to make the perception of the seafront dynamic by suggesting different views according to the different stretches crossed.
Proposed functions in sections 1-9
In its entirety, the waterfront has been designed with a focus on wellness and fitness, combined with the coastal landscape. These activities constitute the characterising elements of the park, through walking or cycling, resting in the shelter of the trees, and reading in a relaxing and natural environment.
Parco del Mare by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT. Photograph by Paolo Fassoli.
Typological choices
There are four types of buildings within the Rimini Sea Park.
Buildings on the beach
The project for the bathing establishments starts from the initial concept of unifying the design of the entire seafront, succeeding in offering a unified vision of it. Through the reorganisation of the bathing establishments, a visual relationship is created between the promenade and the sea. This is achieved by grouping two adjacent concessions in one of the entrances: the central area is freed, becoming a space that can accommodate outdoor sports activities such as beach volleyball or beach tennis, children's play areas or other functions. These constructions are defined as singular elements that give additional unity and identity to the waterfront pr oject. Different sizes and groupings of buildings are de fined for services to support the bathing establishments, adapting to the different uses and needs of each area. The project envisages both buildings homogeneous in shape and aggregation to those present on the waterfront (boats), and buildings composed of modular aggregations (umbrellas), and both types with different modes of composition and assembly. A series of light roofs, consistent with the aforementioned forms, serve as protection and a shading element for the activities that develop below them. At the same time they accommodate the elements installations preventing visibility from the waterfront and hotels.
Waterfront buildings
The buildings located in the central area of the promenade form an integral part of the overall design of the project. Their geometry and position has been defined in relation to the dune system that runs along the promenade. The buildings are defined as modular elements which, with different ways of grouping them, adapt to the surface area required for each function for which they are intended. In general they are very transparent constructions, with a light roof of similar geometry (pergola), and shading elements (parasols). A part of them, with a more solid façade, is destined for service areas, including air conditioning and plant elements. This strategy imposes the prohibition of placing the plant elements on the roof, allowing them to be hidden from the view of those walking along the promenade or staying in the neighbouring hotels.
Parco del Mare by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT. Photograph by Paolo Fassoli.
On the roof, the building's outdoor activities will be partially screened with the same shading elements as on the ground floor, and the surface will be adorned with wooden flooring and a green area (40% of the total surface). Construction or extension of hotels in relation to the promenade The relationship of the hotels with the new promenade is a key point for the Parco del Mare. A gradual adaptation of each hotel structure is envisaged according to criteria defined according to the current situation or according to agreements between the private owners and the municipality. For each situation, certain parameters or indications will be defined in order to maintain a clear organisation of each hotel structure and encourage dialogue with the waterfront.
Singular buildings
Throughout the waterfront design, a series of squares or larger spaces have been defined for the performance of various compatible public functions. There is a need to construct special buildings both for their purpose and for their relationship with their surroundings. Some of the public spaces in the project area already have a precise definition, as in the case of Piazzale Kennedy, which has recently undergone an overall reconfiguration. In the tables attached to the project presented in April 2018, it is possible to appreciate a series of proposals for the new squares, which will host the new functions envisaged in the general proposal of the Sea Park project.
