Oasis

Group project with: Greta Mesumeci, Laura Scateni, Nicola Notarnicola and Qi Han

Oasis is a project that redesigns the Via San Marco neighborhood. It's located in the busy city center where people live, work, and visit. The goal is to create a peaceful spot, an 'oasis,' where everyone can relax and enjoy some quiet time. Additionally, reintroducing water to this neighborhood as part of the renovation serves as a homage to Milan’s historic canals.

Background

Milan: city of rivers

Milan’s centre was once traced with waterways. The Navigli is a system of interconnected canals in and around Milan, dating back as far as the Middle Ages. This system had an irrigation, navigation, defensive and energy function.From 20th century, with the increase in road and rail transport, river transport in the city has gradually decreased and finally disappeared.

Old photo of Navigli

Map of canals, rivers and loggias of Milan, 1860

Via San Marco neighborhood renovation

Via San Marco is an area where used to be crossed by the Navigli river. Now this street symbolizes a transition and connection between the old and the new areas of the city.

Conca dell’Incoronata
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Conca dell’Incoronata also locats within this area. It is an ancient navigation lock developed by Leonardo Da Vinci. Nowadays, this structure has been recognized as a heritage.
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The area of Via San Marco

The Navigli river used to cross by this area.

Research

Via San Marco neighborhood

Via San Marco, a bustling hub with a mix of residential and office spaces, benefits from robust public transport connections that enhance its accessibility. The area attracts tourists but has limited lodging, mostly high-end hotels primarily for business travelers. The dining scene is vibrant, catering to local workers. However, the neighborhood's lack of green spaces detracts from its livability and attractiveness.

Traffic analysis of Via San Marco

The traffic analysis for the Via San Marco neighborhood is summarized with a map that delineates key traffic components including bicycle lanes, pedestrian pathways, car traffic flow, parking availability, and gas stations.

Conca dell’ Incoronata and its surroundings

The Conca dell’Incoronata, an ancient navigation lock located at the start of Via San Marco street, plays a pivotal role in the neighborhood’s redesign. Originally engineered by Leonardo Da Vinci to manage the height difference between two waterways, the lock is now dry and unused. Revitalizing this historic site with water not only pays tribute to Milan’s canal heritage but also marks a key element in the transformation of the neighborhood.

Surveys were conducted on material surroundings, traffic patterns, user demographics, and local opinions to understand the current conditions and needs of the Conca dell’Incoronata area. These surveys aimed to guide the redevelopment in improving infrastructure, enhancing public spaces, and better serving the neighborhood's diverse user base.

The existing materials were analyzed to ensure that new designs preserve the Conca’s original texture, maintaining a cohesive aesthetic throughout the renovation.

Revealed high cyclist and pedestrian activity, suggesting further study to optimize pathways and traffic flow.

A mix of workers during weekdays and families on weekends calls for amenities that cater to varying needs.

Calls from residents and workers for quieter, more comfortable public spaces underscore the importance of enhancing community engagement and public area design.

Positioning map

This positioning map serves as a tool to analyze and visualize key insights derived from the previous research. It highlights the relationships between critical attributes, guiding the strategic placement of design elements to enhance user experience and address the diverse needs of the community.

Axes framing

Quadrants defining

Design concept: Slow living

Slow living is a lifestyle that promotes a more mindful and leisurely approach to daily life, encouraging people to savor each moment. Originating in Italy with the slow food movement as a response to the fast food culture of the 1980s and 1990s, slow living values tradition and quality over speed.

In this project, slow living invites people to step back, reflect, and find balance. It encourages a return to a pace where individuals can enjoy life more fully, be present in the moment, and reconnect with themselves. In the heart of a bustling city, this quiet space offers an opportunity to rediscover the joy of living slowly and nurturing self-care.

Scenarios

Combining research insights and design concepts, these scenarios serve as the overall guidance for the design project.

Design details

The final redesign project along Via San Marco comprises five key elements, each incorporating water as a central theme. This approach not only recalls Milan's history as a city of canals but also leverages water to regulate temperature, enhance comfort, and create communal spaces that naturally gather people, enriching the urban experience.

Bike park

The project is rooted in the principles of slow living, encouraging people to take a step back from the fast pace of urban life and truly enjoy their surroundings. In line with this vision, a bike park is being established to support a slower, more mindful way of commuting. This park not only provides essential services such as bike checks and repairs but also creates a space where riders can pause, rest, and enjoy the moment. With self-service pumping stations, ample bicycle parking, and comfortable seating areas, the bike park enhances the overall experience, allowing people to reconnect with the simple pleasures of life.

"Underwater" tunnel

The "Underwater" tunnel serves as a transition space, inviting cyclists and pedestrians to slow down and engage with their surroundings. Inside the tunnel, a projection system simulates the effects of light and shadow as if underwater, accompanied by the sound of flowing water. This immersive experience not only captures the attention of those passing through but also offers a brief moment of relaxation and escape from the busyness of daily life. The design aims to enhance the space's appeal, evoking memories of the river that once flowed beneath the bridge.

Get a “Dip”

The Conca has been divided into two distinct parts. The upper section, known as "Get a Dip," features a glass roof-structure filled with water, offering a serene, open-air space for relaxation. This area allows visitors to dip their feet into the water, providing a simple yet effective escape from the city's chaos.Surrounded by greenery and filled with the sounds of daily life—conversations, birdsong, and the clinking of forks—this space invites people to pause and enjoy a peaceful moment.

Meditation area

The lower space of the Conca, beneath the glass-roof and surrounded by water, offers a private, tranquil environment designed for relaxation and meditation. Isolated from the noisy outside world, this area evokes the sensation of being inside a river. A waterfall at the entrance blocks external noise, and as visitors move deeper, the sound of water fades, leading to a peaceful space where they can relax on cushions shaped like water drops, allowing for comfortable meditation and reflection.

Cycling lane

Via San Marco is now a car-free zone, converted into a dedicated pedestrian and cycling lane. Small streams separate the paths, echoing the river that once flowed here. Benches over the streams provide a cool, calming experience with the sound of running water beneath. Bike parking and water fountains enhance the space, making it ideal for walking and cycling.

Water park

Once a noisy parking lot and gas station, this area has been transformed into a water park. The park serves as an open space for people to chill and have fun. It features net beds and wooden benches for relaxation, and offers opportunities for people to play with water. In winter, the park might even allow for skating. Designed with safety in mind, the shallow water depth makes it suitable for all ages. Additionally, the park reconnects visitors with the canal’s history, bringing the memory of the canal back into the community’s daily life.