“Architecture is a fundamental feature of the history, culture and fabric of life of each of our countries; it represents an essential means of artistic expression in the daily life of citizens and it constitutes the heritage of tomorrow”.
With these words the Council of European Union places Architecture and the Architectural Profession at the core of the changes taking place in the territory, aiming at enhancing the architectural quality of the urban and rural environment we live in.
Today, however, in Italy, the true dimension and value of architecture and of the architectural profession are not perceived in the appropriate way. This is testified by the scars and wounds that mark our territories.
On these grounds, the OAPPC – Ordine degli Architetti, Pianificatori, Paesaggisti e Conservatori della Provincia di Trieste (the Association of architects, urban planners, landscape and conservation architects of the Province of Trieste) believes it is necessary and appropriate to open up to the community, not only to inform, explain, and define a role for its “vocation”, but also to interact with the city and its citizens, including local operators and administrative bodies, on the themes concerning the territory that belong to all of us.
Within this frame, the OAPPC is promoting an event called ‘Piazza dell’Architettura’, Architecture’s Square, to be held in Trieste at the Salone degli Incanti-Ex Pescheria (the city’s former fish market, now an exhibition space) from Saturday 24 July to Saturday 7 August.
Why a square? The square represents, in European cities, and in Italian ones in particular (the “piazza”) the urban space that symbolizes social and community life. In the square people meet, network, make themselves seen. In the square, the show of urban civilization goes on stage.
For this reason, we chose to envisage the event, to be held at the ex Pescheria, as a large square, in this case a square opening to the city, with all its main features, such as public buildings (the exhibitions), shops (the cafeterias, the bookshops), events (the encounters with our guests) but also workshops and more. In brief, a large space to interchange ideas, a place where architects may actually get in touch with the city.
A square cannot exist, though, but within an urban structure, within a city. For this reason, the event will necessarily involve all those elements such as architects, professional studios and cultural associations that share the same goals.
