Italian architect Renzo Piano presents plan to replace Genoa bridge
World-famous Italian architect Renzo Piano on Friday presented his plan for a replacement for the motorway bridge outside Genoa that partly collapsed in August, killing 43 people.
"This bridge should last 1,000 years and should be made from steel," Piano told journalists in the north-western port city where he was born 80 years ago.
His project would look a bit like a boat, be more subtle and be white "with its own brightness," said Piano.
Although the architect said it was important not to rush the new bridge, regional leader Giovanni Toti insisted it would be ready by autumn 2019, "November at the latest".
Demolition work on the still-standing sections of the bridge will begin this month, and the work will also require demolishing some residential buildings below.
READ ALSO:
-
Italy investigating 20 people over Genoa bridge collapse
-
Collapsed Genoa bridge to be demolished within 30 days
-
'Thousands of Italian bridges will be in crisis in the next 20 years'
Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci said there would be an international competition to decide on "the very beautiful neighbourhood" that will be built under the new bridge.
"We want to turn this tragedy into an opportunity for Genoa, in the end we will have a more beautiful city than before," said Bucci. "Genoa has for years done big things, I don't see why we can't continue to do so."
Details of the final bridge plan, including its exact design and who will build it have yet to be decided.
Representatives of Autostrade per l'Italia (Aspi) and ship-builder Fincantieri were at the press conference and said they could form a consortium for the new bridge.
Italian media reported that after the press conference, that Aspi boss Giovanni Castellucci dropped and broke a piece of the model of the new bridge, at which Piano shrugged and smiled.
Renzo Piano in his studio. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP
Comments
See Also
"This bridge should last 1,000 years and should be made from steel," Piano told journalists in the north-western port city where he was born 80 years ago.
His project would look a bit like a boat, be more subtle and be white "with its own brightness," said Piano.
Although the architect said it was important not to rush the new bridge, regional leader Giovanni Toti insisted it would be ready by autumn 2019, "November at the latest".
Demolition work on the still-standing sections of the bridge will begin this month, and the work will also require demolishing some residential buildings below.
READ ALSO:
- Italy investigating 20 people over Genoa bridge collapse
- Collapsed Genoa bridge to be demolished within 30 days
- 'Thousands of Italian bridges will be in crisis in the next 20 years'
Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci said there would be an international competition to decide on "the very beautiful neighbourhood" that will be built under the new bridge.
"We want to turn this tragedy into an opportunity for Genoa, in the end we will have a more beautiful city than before," said Bucci. "Genoa has for years done big things, I don't see why we can't continue to do so."
Details of the final bridge plan, including its exact design and who will build it have yet to be decided.
Representatives of Autostrade per l'Italia (Aspi) and ship-builder Fincantieri were at the press conference and said they could form a consortium for the new bridge.
Italian media reported that after the press conference, that Aspi boss Giovanni Castellucci dropped and broke a piece of the model of the new bridge, at which Piano shrugged and smiled.
Renzo Piano in his studio. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.