The new Vesuvio Red Train comes down from the mountain like a burning lava describing a patch which explores all the meanings of the park.
Our project wants to interpret the Vesuvio context and to transform it in a volcano thematic park. It’s a place where science and myth design the landscape and establish the new cultural and economic value for the realization of the infrastructure. The project is developed inside the Vesuvio Park, in a constantly changing territory. The climb gives value to the existing landscapes and create new attractions. The funicular describes a new ecosustainable mean of transport which is made with a cable technology developed on a 3752 mt length. Five stations are planned. Line and stations are characterized by essential architecture and structure. The stations are opened and protected by a simple red glass canopy, with strips of amorphous silicon to integrate photovoltaic cells. By night the canopy is enlightened through the energy cumulated during the day and, with its glow, it shows the new train from far beyond. Beside the shining roof, all the station are functionally autonomous, equipped with stairs and lifts for disabled persons accessibility, control systems and a small facility for the ticket office.
The first station, with the Cook building already restored, is designed for the museum and a restaurant bar with panoramic terrace on the gulf. Nearby a big parking for touristic buses is realized. The near mine is restored to host a new hotel which reshapes the landscape inside the mountain. Canteroni station, the second station that we meet climbing the mountain is realized with a low impact structure that links paths, panoramic viewpoints and a pic-nic area. The parking is realized with terraces. Osservatorio station, the central one, is suspended on the landscape below, to avoid any excavation. Tirone station is the next t last before the top. Here begins the canopy path that links to the sport building. Due Vulcani station is the last one, where a restaurant and a parking for electric vehicles is designed. A series of paths starting from the different stations bring to different park destinations.
