La passerella nella Valle dei Templi

The walkway is designed as a sculptural element which is integrated with the enchanting environment of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, and establishes a dialogue with it which is inspired by the landscape and architectural features of the place. The main purpose of the pedestrian walkway is to restore unity to the path of the archaeological park, divided by the crossing of the highway 118; and allow a safe use of the park, giving the visitor the perception of this as a unique and organic whole. The romantic aspect of the ruins, the concept of non-finished which these refer, the restoration operations for anastylosis performed over time, led to an image of the Valley of the Temples characterized by elements of different heights and sizes, creating different expressive and formal modules. The different heights of the columns of the nearby temple of Heracles were transfigured and reinterpreted architecturally in the walkway, in a dynamic sequence of vertical elements of different heights, which generate a vibration of light, producing an effect of transparency, of dematerialization, of anti-tectonic. The walkway is planned entirely of corten steel, material characterized by differences in color, opacity and mutability, similar to natural elements such as wood, integrating the project with the landscape. The structure consists of a alveolar section box tapered at both ends, and side shields composed of bars of different heights, arranged in modular distances. The logistics related to the realization of the work requires containment operations in situ, because of the particular archeological context and the interferences with traffic flow and access. To meet this need the walkway has been entirely precast in workshop then it will be transported and put on place on the support points of the structure.