Sarmad Suhail Y4
Borgo Palermo.
Sicily’s agricultural industry has rapidly declined following decades of reduced rainfall and failed infrastructure projects. Hence the Sicilian Agricultural Board has outlined its revival will be through ‘Agritourism’, with resorts having to meet five key guidelines. The result is a new Agriturismo set in the heart of the Sicilian Capital, designed in accordance with these principles in order to achieve ‘accreditation’ despite its urban location.
The typology of the ‘Sicilian Block’ informs its design language, the building acting as a ‘wall’ surrounding a landscaped ‘farm’, with each section of the facade manipulating these five rules, I.e providing ‘rural’ views within a cityscape, using the site and climate to irrigate crops, and reviving its context through public teaching and crop-selling spaces. A rammed earth construction enables environmental efficiency alongside creating cavernous spaces for the guest rooms. Hence the project will best promote Sicily’s fine produce, and be the first step in reviving the ‘incomputio’ ‘Via Dei Borghi’ scheme that inspired it.
back to Incomplete 2020