AdSP events building

The concept for the new events building of the “Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Centro Settentrionale” is based on three principles: the desire to anchor the architecture within its context through an active dialogue with the water; the construction of a clear yet inclusive functional hierarchy; and a constant focus on material, environmental, and aesthetic quality. The aim is to create a public building serving as a hub of activity for the docking authority, while being easily recognizable along the “Darsena” skyline. This building is conceived as a work of civic architecture, sober yet distinctive, able to symbolize the revitalization of the urban context in which it is set.
The volume is positioned along the dock’s axis, interpreting the line of the pier and enhancing the waterfront, giving the landscape a central role in the architectural composition. The building acts as a constructed threshold between the city and the port, between urban space and natural environment. The external staircase, unfolding along a broken line, reinforces this relationship, not only serving as a vertical link, but as a spatial and narrative device that supports transitions between different functional zones. The transition is exposed to the outside, functioning as an urban luminous beacon during night.

The layout spans three levels, reflecting a clear design intent. The ground floor, easily accessible from the port, hosts the most public functions: the foyer, the exhibition area, and the conference hall. It is conceived as an extension of the urban ground, while the conference hall slowly sunk moving towards the stage. The first floor accommodates dining services in a welcoming and open setting, offering privileged views of the “Darsena” harbor. Integrated furniture further reinforces the connection with the outdoors. The upper level, reserved for administrative functions, is organized around an internal courtyard that provides natural light, visual comfort, and a moment of pause within the work rhythm.

Every design choice, from spatial configuration to surface treatment, aims at long-lasting quality. The architectural language is essential yet expressive: materials are selected for their ability to age gracefully, for their coherence with the identity of the place, and for their high environmental performance. The main material is exposed concrete in the inside, and a stone cladding in the outside, enhancing the public role of the building. Passive climate control strategies, integrated with efficient systems, complete a responsible and conscious approach. ▼read more