IN SEARCH OF THE UNEXPECTED

The urbanization process is already creating an enormous amount of construction. A large portion of that construction will come in the form of infrastructure, because of its scale and the size of the contracts, but also because it is a field where actions tend to be more coordinated. There is therefore a great potential in infrastructure to take care of the common good. The problem is that there is a very thin line between the clarity and neutrality of infrastructure and its lack of sensitivity to react to a specific condition and mainly to intangible values that are hard to evaluate economically. Unfortunately, the examples in which infrastructure has tried to become more “arty” are pathetic, mannerist, and banal. We have to take into account the fact that new needs have arisen and that infrastructure has a role to play in the local identity of the cityscape and the landscape.
The work of Marte.Marte in the field of infrastructure represents an unusual example of the expression of maturity in facing identity— without being nostalgic—but at the same time the freshness to explore new forms of structures. In their words, the essential often shows up unexpectedly. They are worthy of attention because they have been able to build infrastructure in a way that contributes to the public good, having a civic and not only a technical presence, allowing such places to become public space.