Location: Bastia (2B)
Program: Creation of a walkway for pedestrians, disabled, and cyclists circumventing the citadel and highlighting the site
General contractor: Bastia’s municipality
Project management: Buzzo Spinelli in partnership with Dietmar Feichtinger as architect representative / SBP, BET - structural engineers / BETEM, BET VRD - mechanical engineers / IN SITU - landscape design / OCEANIDE - hydrodynamics engineers
Visualization by: Ilulissa Images

THE COMMISSION

The main idea of the project is to walk down the maritime boundaries of Bastia.On one hand this pedestrian route would showcase Bastia’s citadel, and on the other hand it would highlight the site’s ramparts.

It is a delicate promenade inviting all residents to take part in the maritime facade, which opens up on the Tuscan islands and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

From north to south, it is with profound respect of the site’s legacy that the architects insert a 450 linear meter walkway alongside the ramparts connecting occasionally the citadel to the Aldilonda and vice versa.

Terms: Complete mission

THE PROJECT

Aldilonda, meaning literally « above water », anchors itself to the rocks, cantilevers above steep slopes, and follows the coastal curves offering a fine site experience, and several relaxation areas.

The project does not create new spaces but instead, makes existing ones available. Rocks become accessible as solariums or rocky beaches.

The materiality of the project is in keeping with the ramparts and the natural rough landscape. The walkway is made of precast concrete slabs with a finish layer of in situ rock shards. The handrail is corten steel very resistant to corrosion and in perfect harmony with the quartz rust colour on the rocks.

Intervention is minimal on the north and south entrances out of respect for the site.

To the north the Dragon pier, only viewpoint in the landscape, is integrated to the project; and the small natural beach is entirely protected.

To the south the rocky outcrop, dear to and representative of Bastia natives, is preserved. The promenade then continues through a tunnel naturally lit by a skylight, and it is connected to the citadel by a staircase.

Finally Ficaghiola the coast inlet follows the same concept of a minimal impact; so floating decks were created to connect the beach level to the water level overcoming the rocks barrier, and creating relaxing public spaces facing the sea.