The SZN shares with a small group of monumental buildings – first and foremost Castel dell’Ovo, but also Castel Nuovo and the Stazione Marittima – the unique condition of a central yet liminal position to the city
The peculiarity of the SZN building is that its uniform image masks a complex history.
The current building is the result of the addition of several buildings, whilst uniform in style but built at different times
Castel Nuovo: triumphal arch (left) / South elevation (right)
The new wing takes the form of a slender building, a new “tower” clamped between the existing corner towers
Lorenzo di Credi: Annunciazione, 1480 – 85 (left) / A view from the laboratory (right)
Two high loggias define the facades, one overlooking the city and the other overlooking the Gulf of Naples and the Island of Capri
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn / Napoli
The purpose of the project is a new wing of the SZN – Zoological Station of Napoli – in place of the library built in the 1950s.
The new body will contain an extension of the aquarium, laboratories, a new library and workspaces for researchers.
The peculiarity of the SZN building is that its uniform image masks a complex history.
The current building is the result of the addition of several buildings, whilst uniform in style but built at different times.
One of the goals of the project is to reveal this nature of a composite building, screened by the work in the 1950s.
The new wing takes the form of a slender building, a new “tower” clamped between the existing corner towers. Two high loggias define the facades, one overlooking the city and the other overlooking the Gulf of Naples and the Island of Capri.
The new volume, a light structure, made of steel, wood and glass will be lowered into the new space between the existing buildings. This clear construction is shielded by the existing stone tuff walls.
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
www.szn.it
2016
Napoli
Italy
Two-stage Design Competition / Shortlisted for the 2nd phase
Orazio Basso, Alessandro Simonato
W.E.I.'N Venice S.r.l.
