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The project emerges from the study of the intersection - a dialogue between horizontality and verticality. Two linear community buildings extend along the site’s primary axes, establishing a spatial order that frames movement and interaction. These low forms define a vibrant ground plane where pedestrians and cyclists move through a landscape of courtyards and open gathering points—a dedicated zone for community and flow.
At the convergence of these axes, the architecture transitions from the horizontal to the vertical. Rising 93 meters from this junction, a four-star hotel serves as a vertical landmark. It captures the energy of the circulation below, translating urban movement into a vertical gesture that serves as an anchor for the form's identity
The design was developed through a systematic input-to-output parametric workflow. This approach facilitated a fluid process, allowing for the continuous testing and evaluation of specific parameters against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) at each stage. This iterative process allowed for the optimization of the tower’s form and the ground plane’s permeability, ensuring that the final architectural output is a high-performing response to its specific urban context. The project was developed in 3 distinct stages: Form design ⟶ Facade design ⟶ Technology. This chapter explodes the first stage of the design process - Parametric Forming
Intersection axis
The design originates from three intersecting axes: one parallel to the existing main road, one parallel to the tram line, and a vertical axis defined at their intersection. Given the site’s strategic prominence and civic program, the primary building axes were intentionally established at this junction, creating a dynamic focal point where local residents, visitors, and travelers naturally converge.
Intersected blocks
Based on the three defined axes, three blocks are created for hotel, community, and public functions. With the height of 65m, these blocks are relatively low, allowing them to be shaded by neighboring buildings. The tower needs to be taller to create a landmark effect for the hotel. Consequently, there is a slight increase in solar radiation for the whole building, as the upper section will no longer benefit from passive shading provided by neighboring structures.
Inclination form
By inclining the tower of 3.4 degree, this passive design solution reduces the solar radiation of the whole building by 2.99%. Furthermore, the larger floor plane at the top allows for more efficient spatial planning for the high-level hotel rooms. Adjusting the two podium roofs to incline towards the north further reduces solar radiation by 1.19% with respect to the previous step (or 4.18%). These walkable roofs create a welcoming effect and a seamless connection to the site; they will be designed as green roofs.
Recess form
The recessed openings are designed to create open spaces (such as restaurants, spas, bars, and rooftops) for the hotel. These voids also contribute to a 7.76% passive reduction in solar radiation at the whole-building level. Cutting the roof at an 30 degree angle increases the solar radiation on the tower roof by 12% (to 1,449 kWh/m²/year). This enhances the PV system's energy production wich contributes 45.5% to the building's total Renewable Energy Production.
Ziczac facade
Overhangs with varying depths were added. Specifically, on the SW facade, the overhang was upgraded to a 1200mm balcony. This significantly improves the SW performance while maintaining large openings to maximize views. Vertical louvers with a 'basic box' profile are distributed in a staggered pattern across the facade. This louver system contributes an 11% (-35%) improvement in shading performance for the entire building during summer.
Full parametric model
A fully parametric model was developed to generate diverse design variations, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of parametric form-finding. Optimal options are identified through a set of criteria balancing functional requirements, landmark impact, and community integration, with solar radiation serving as the sole physical KPI at this stage. The workflow was built in Grasshopper, using Ladybug Tools for environmental simulation.
The optimal scheme was chosen for its 100m landmark tower and inclined podium blocks, which encourage seamless community access.
Building performance of "optimal" variations
A new high-rise landmark of Torino
The next chapters detail the passive envelope design through optimized external shading dimensions. This is followed by the technical and constructive resolution of the façade, focusing on unitized panels and manufacturing processes.
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