DEFINITIVE PROJECT / The 12 stations
(July 2009 – July 2010)
The concept for Casa .italo, which defines a fluid service space for travellers by means of a high-technology perimeter and circular “island” furnishing units, makes it possible to give physical form to the interiors, which from late this year will be available to travellers using the NTV – Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (New Transport for Travellers) service.
Twelve cities on the high-speed train service in which to install the various Casa .italo structures have been defined (Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, Venice, Mestre, Turin, Salerno and Padua).
The modularity of the system from which Casa .italo is built makes it possible to provide a balance of services and equipment in the various stations, both those in which only a minimum area is available, and those that are larger and already have more services available for travellers. The minimum services supply (ticket purchase by means of automatic ticket machines, timetable information, and direct help from NTV staff by means of the info desk) is always guaranteed, but as the space available increases, the services that can be supplied also increase: the high-technology perimeter can comprise units dedicated to web navigation, or the distribution of magazines and leaflets, and as well as the information desk, there are small and medium-sized wifi tables, and armchairs for temporary use by travellers. In the largest stations, Milan and Rome, the Casa .italo interiors are even larger, and include reserved areas, and public conveniences, spaces that represent an addition to the main structure and that offer extra comfort and services to people who have to spend a certain period of time in the station.
The Casa .italo design also includes back-office spaces, accessible from the user spaces by means of openings within the high-technology perimeter wall. NTV staff can use these spaces for accommodating travellers with special needs, and for other functions such as monitoring the correct functioning of Casa .italo, contacting the other Casa .italo structures in the railway network, and for waiting for trains to depart.
Credits
Stefano Boeri Architetti / Architectural design
team:
Davide Rapp (project leader)
Marco Brega (coordinator)
with:
Marco Giorgio
Angela Parrozzani
assistants:
Isabella Gaetani
Giuseppe Porcelli
Consultants
dotdotdot / Concept and interaction design
46xy / Graphic design
Salottobuono / Architectural design
Andrej Mikuz Architetto /Technical feasibility and calculation