Center of Underwater Archaeology / Baia
The theme of the thesis is a Center of Underwater Archaeology in Baia (Naples, Italy), in the area of the Phlegraean Fields, an amazing territory with geological, cultural and archaeological resources.
A leading center for studies and teach on the underwater archaeology, a spaces dedicated to statues and virtual installations that extend the Museum of Phlegraean Fields.
The project area is under the Aragonese Castle of Baia, 4 meters underwater. It’s an important roman fishpond (1st century A.D.) , built on the ancient road called "Via Herculanea" that linked Puteoli and Miseno. Due to bradyseism the coastline reduces of 40 meters so all rests are underwater, in the same time we can assist to the birth of the culture of the underwater archaeology.
The choice of this function derives from the desire of people to rebuild the ancient bond with the sea destroyed by neglect and constructions in breach of planning control.
The area is perfect to accommodate an Off-Shore building (we are in a bay in the gulf of Naples). The weak sea currents and low deep (4 mt) make possible the study of the site. The building will not face strong water pressure on its walls, something that makes this idea possible.
The floating structure are completely overlapped on the underwater rests, the choice is to design a building according to the 2001 UNESCO convention for the protection of the underwater cultural heritage. An “Architectural Shell” with some spaces opened on the landscape and other underwater spaces where the inside pressure is constant. The project is based on a modular structure, the scheme chosen is not anonymous but is in relation with the roman fishpond. A structure fused with the landscape in order to give new life to this great and abandoned underwater heritage.