The Breathing City: Mitigating Urban Heat Through Climate-Responsive Environmental Design | Masters Design Project

Site Context

Situated in the broader macro-scale context of Piacenza a city characterized by elevations ranging from 35 to 100 meters and a mix of impermeable artificial surfaces and permeable green areas the project aligns with an urban strategy targeting the historical center, commercial zones, and abandoned structures.

At the micro-scale, the specific intervention site consists of an abandoned building and an adjacent open space located directly next to a communal church and connected by a pedestrian alleyway. Environmentally, the current ground cover is dominated by impermeable asphalt and a compacted gravel sub-base, creating a harsh microclimate that pedestrians experience as uncomfortably “Hot!!”.

Furthermore, the dilapidated and sun-exposed state of the architecture generates functional ambiguity, leaving people navigating the area confused about whether the spaces are meant to be active public areas or are simply abandoned ruins.

Design Process

The design process for The Breathing City is structured as a phased, three-year ecological transformation. Year 1 focuses on the Structural Phase, involving excavation where heavy machinery breaks and extracts the impermeable asphalt, completely removes the suffocating gravel sub-base, and physically rips and decompacts the concrete-like native soil. Moving into Year 2, the Biological Phase transitions the site from a construction zone into a living system focused on hydrological recovery and root expansion; beneath the surface, newly introduced fungi and microbes bind the tilled dirt together to rebuild the soil’s natural sponge structure.

Finally, Year 3 represents the Thermodynamic Phase, where the ecosystem matures to facilitate microclimate cooling and full public use. By this final stage, the tree canopy becomes wide enough to cast significant shade, successfully cooling the ground below and completely altering the local environment.

Final Outcome

The outcome of The Breathing City project transforms the previously abandoned ruin into a vibrant, multipurpose community pavilion where public areas and active streets harmoniously coexist. The realized design features a permeable community square equipped with hidden mist sprinklers, as well as an alleyway shaded by vegetated awnings that provide comfortable resting spaces and enhance local biodiversity.

Inside the main courtyard, a large water wall and fountain system interact with downwash winds to generate a distinct microclimate cooling effect for users. The ground plane is entirely revitalized using grass, permeable pavements, and galvanized steel mesh grating walkways that actively capture and recharge groundwater.

Thermally, architecture is optimized with fabric and green roofs that maximize shaded areas, channel pedestrian winds for dispersion, and manage daytime heat absorption alongside rapid nighttime heat release, ultimately creating a playful, comfortable, and ecologically active urban environment.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the project demonstrates how ecological design can transform neglected urban spaces into resilient, climate-responsive public environments, enhancing biodiversity, thermal comfort, and community well-being while addressing the urban heat island effect.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]