WWF OBSERVATION CABIN

Design Brief

The site of the competition is the Lagoon of Orbetello in Tuscany. More precisely, one should call it a “wetland”: an archetype that the modern era has rejected. This term has been associated with something insecure and unhealthy because wetlands have always been the place of bandits, fugitives, deadly fevers and necromancers. These are places that modernity tried to remove or limit by coining words as “reclamation” or “draining”. Yet, these are places that play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity.

Maybe due to an increased eco-friendly awareness or an excess of healthiness and security, the contemporary era has rediscovered the importance of wetlands. Now their remnants are being protected and their redevelopment and consolidation guaranteed. As a result, new words as “renaturation” or “environmental protection” have been created. Such terms are the expression of a new awareness of what today is referred to as “humid zones”, which we could bravely call “wetlands” again. In the wetland of Orbetello new hospitable places are blooming to host hundreds of species with no home or fleeing from human activities that left little room for more timid and fragile species.

Here, in the silence brushed by the wind, with their sporadic beat of wings birds rise up from bushes and rushes interrupting the calm. Even laymen can perfectly understand the value of a diversified community with different shapes, colors and sizes yet peacefully reunited in the fragments of a common home, which human beings managed to protect.

Far from being a detailed picture of the complexity of a unique area with an inestimable natural, historical and landscape value, hereby follow some useful information in order to better describe the area and the players involved in the competition.

Design Perimeters

Lagoon of Orbetello: in order to trace the origin of the Lagoon of Orbetello one must go back to 5,000 years ago. At that time, the Argentario Promontory was an island separated from the dry land by a 12-km sea corridor. With time, the land moved by tides started to create the East ayre also known in Italian as the Tombolo della Feniglia (Tombolo is the Italian term to refer to the sandy stretches of land connecting the islands with the mainland). Then, tides also created the small peninsula on which Orbetello stands. The movement of the peninsula towards the sea was stopped by the sudden and faster formation of the West ayre called Tombolo della Giannella, which corresponds to the current area of the wetland. To date, this system (Monte Argentario, lagoon and the 2 tomboli) is a geological unique gem together with a similar scenario of minor importance in the Mediterranean area, specifically in France. In the sixties, the enthusiastic hunter Fulco Pratesi was pervaded with a new feeling that was becoming increasingly popular mostly in northern Europe among numerous sport hunters. During hunts an increasing number of men started to realize that the most fascinating part of that age-old practice was not the capture of animals. The thrilling element of hunts was the time spent in touch with nature being surprised by the sudden encounter with wild species. It was becoming increasingly clear that enjoying nature with its vistas, silence and calm interrupted by the company of animals was far more fascinating than taking from it. It was thus that the hunter who founded WWF Italia started a battle to protect what then became the symbol of the natural reserve of Orbetello: the extremely elegant black-winged stilt, which had returned to Italy after more than 40 years. This was the beginning of a long and slow protection project that led to the creation of the oasis in 1971. Thanks to the effort of the public administration and WWF, an 870-hectares oasis was created. After a subsequent expansion, a 1,550-hectares Regional Natural Reserve was established. Today the oasis comprises three parts. Firstly, the historical part located in the forest of Patanella boasts a 1-km path, numerous vistas and a botanical route. Secondly, the Ceriolo area is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts including some of the first routes equipped for visitors with reduced mobility (this is one of the numerous innovative elements of the oasis). Thirdly, the Giannella farmhouse hosts a visitors’ center, a butterfly garden and a guest house where visitors can try the intense flavors of the lagoon of the Maremma region.

Natural system; in a thin veil of water getting rough by the wind elegant pink flamingos bow when meeting their counterparts. Vivacious sparrowhawks scare small groups of ducks, which are too fearful and naïve to realize that they are too oversized to be the prey of such small birds of prey. One can think that visiting the oasis of Orbetello is mainly a visual experience. Yet, with a more thorough analysis, it is undeniable that a stay in such an oasis offers an all-encompassing experience. It is not just about the bright light-blue color of kingfishers, the metal green color of mallards or the pastel shades of flamingos. This experience also encompasses the softness of cork barks, the impertinent singing of redshanks and the sea perfume rising from the lagoon. Here, in winter more than 300 species of birds dance between waters and skies. Moreover, it is not uncommon to spot boars, wolves, hedgehogs, badgers and foxes. This is an abundance of international importance (this is the technical classification of the area) boasting exceptional singularities like shelducks, numerous other rare ducks and ospreys. Here, 2 out of the 12 examples of ospreys living in Italy built their nest. This is what the oasis of Orbetello is: a home for all. This is clear to visitors able to spot shelters for bats hanging from battered buildings, beehives for wild bees (not the common honeybees but still essential bees for the pollination of rare flowers as wild orchids or ordinary cornflowers) or all the nests masterfully provided to a wide range of birds. In the oasis one can also admire rust-colored glassworts, bright lentisk leaves (a historical remedy for an impeccable oral hygiene), poplars, pines, elms and numerous varieties of recent plants that have been grown by exclusively using seeds, which were born in the oasis. Only by understanding the extraordinary abundance of the wetland of Orbetello architects will be able to successfully deal with a unique place in the world. Due to its value, the oasis deserves the most refined and respectful expression of architecture, which shall be both contemporary and integrated in the ancient and prominent nature.

Brief history; without any doubt, natural aspects play the main role to the end of the competition. However, the area of Orbetello and Maremma of Siena is also a highly interesting historical stratification. As in most parts of Italy, such history comprises renowned dominations and personalities. Specifically, the area of Orbetello was an important Etruscan center. Orbetello used to be its main seaport to reach northern colonies. The splendid pediment of the temple of Talamone is what remains of such period. This is one of the most important artifacts of that time and the biggest representation of “Seven against Thebes” coming from the ancient world. Differently, the ruins of the huge walls of Cosa attest the domination of the Roman empire. After that, for long centuries, the area was controlled by the Papacy which annexed it to the Abbey Abbazia delle Tre Fontane and entrusted it as a feud to the Aldobrandeschi family. From 1414 to 1557, the domination of Siena dominated Orbetello and the surrounding area. Then, the area came under the control of the Spanish Presidi that significantly influenced the current look of the area with their civil and military architectures. Their remains create landscapes and views that are now renowned all over the world. The Spanish mill- surviving its nine twins- rises in a surreal scenario as if it was the ruin of an ancient submerged city. The Spanish fortress boasts tilted walls and mighty crenellations. Then, the armory attests the famous Giuseppe Garibaldi’s Expedition. Knowing the history and beauty of the place is essential to fully understand the meaning of the competition. Furthermore, it perfectly shows that the new architectural intervention will have to deal with an area, which is extremely valuable and connoted. Consequently, the contemporary features of the project shall guarantee a worthy prosecution and completion of the current scenario.

Area system; there is a different Tuscany. There is a Tuscany that lies far away from the mild hills of Val d’Orcia, ordered rows of cypresses and the masterpieces by Botticelli or Brunelleschi. There is a rough, introverted Tuscany that local colorful imprecations and expressions still despise. This is the Tuscany of Maremma and the area of Orbetello is the most telling expression of it. These places were disputed areas between lands and seas. They were the pasture of the domination of Siena. They were feared scourges for poor and fragile populations. These places still evoke a wild fascination, a pristine and inhospitable nature that was lethal to those who tried to tame it throughout history. (The deed of Ferdinand III and his descendants is nearly legendary: the lethal- yet eventually successful- reclamation mission of the Maremma area). In the Orbetello area there is still the atavistic expression of a land taken from the water. It is indeed a muddy, inhospitable land. Yet, it is studded with gems like Porto Ercole, Talamone and man-made natural masterpieces as the Spacco della Regina (a 1-km deep natural gully), Ansedonia, Argentario or the magnificent Island of Giglio (sadly internationally notorious for the recent disastrous shipwreck of the Costa Concordia). The area of the competition is situated at the heart of a rich system of natural and architectural wonders. Therefore, the new facilities will have to meet the needs of a tourist purpose. They shall be a cultural/faunal center for the oasis but also an architecture enabling visitors to extensively explore and discover the area.

WWF; in 1961 world organizations committed in consolidating the post war world were thriving. In that year, Julian Huxley- first Director-General of UNESCO- established the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The association was formed as a charity and soon became increasingly successful also thanks to the collaboration of personalities as John D. Rockefeller and Prince Philip (the first president of WWF’s English section). Right from the beginning, the association chose a logo that became one of the most iconic and recognizable logos in the world: the black and white giant panda according to the original drawing by sir. Peter Scott. WWF was firstly established to protect biodiversity and ecosystems supporting it. Over the years, it evolved and changed according to new awareness of environmental issues. As a result, it managed to both maintain its original mission and adopt a more holistic approach to environmental sustainability and an aware use of natural resources. WWF has carried out thousands of projects aiming to protect nature and the animal world. Now WWF is one of the most experienced and renowned environmentalist associations worldwide. It goes without saying that it is one of the most interesting clients architects can work with.

Design Development Control:

The wait, the quest, the surprise. In the wonder of fleetingly and suddenly see wildlife one always finds oneself to be a child. This is maybe because the animal world is the most suggestive materialization of nature. It is sufficiently close to human beings to generate empathy but at the same time different enough to arouse astonishment. There is no child that did not love and fear animals. Likewise, there is no primitive civilization that did not deify them and made them the expression of human faults and virtues: the bad wolf, the smart fox, the gentle dove. Designing an architecture to deal with the animal world means taking inspiration from the most intimate and archetypical image. It means rediscover activities and emotions that the urban life has obfuscated and somehow made even more sublime and engaging. Climbing trees, scanning the horizon, enjoying the illusion of living in a primitive world or the adventure of a castaway will be some of the emotions that observation points will have to arouse. The design of highly evocative architectures is not the only aim of the competition. The project is also an opportunity to develop and understand the relationship between contemporary architecture and landscape. Designing architectures to live up to one of the most important natural oases worldwide does not necessarily mean giving up the visibility of one’s project. It means recognizing the significant expressiveness of architecture when it is perfectly integrated in its context. New interventions shall enhance the beauty and fascination of the landscape of the oasis. Here, the relationship between architecture and nature shall generate even more suggestive and picturesque views. Hereby follow the functions that architects shall include in the project of the competition:

1. Observation points; architects shall design 3 different types of observation points dedicated to the observation of the lagoon fauna by professionals and visitors. Such points shall be designed to be duplicated and situated in different areas of the oasis:

i. On-the-ground observation point; this is the traditional “watch hut”. The structure shall be located at ground level, it has to be a one floor element and host maximum 10 people at a time to rest and observe. Moreover, it shall include one or more sighting windows at visitors’ eye level (1.6 meters height from the ground).

ii. Raised observation point; this is the traditional “watchtower”. There can be maximum 2 aboveground floors (7 meters maximum overall height). The structure shall enable the observation of maximum 5 people at a time on each floor. Moreover, such observation point shall include one or more sighting windows at visitors’ eye level (1.6 meters height from the ground).

iii. Observation point at water level; such structure can either be floating (therefore moving) or fixed. It shall ensure the observation of the lagoon from the level of the water. This is the least traditional typology since the height of the observation window shall be maximum 30 cm above the ground. Consequently, the structure can either be situated at ground level (so that visitors can lie) or below ground level (so that visitors can enjoy the view from the window by sitting or even standing). The structure shall be properly waterproofed and enable the observation of maximum 5 people at a time.

With regard to observation points:

• There is no need to camouflage them in nature: fauna is not scared by still objects;

• Differently, they have to ensure the camouflage of observers since fauna can be intimidated by seeing people moving; • The observation windows must be equipped with shutters or systems to close them;

• All three typologies must be equipped with roof structures;

• There are no limitations regarding typology, shape, style or materials to design the observation point as long as an easy maintenance and a positive relationship (harmonious or disharmonic) with the lagoon are ensured;

• They can be situated anywhere along the coast of the lagoon (area A).

2. Visitors’ center: it will be positioned backward from the observation points. It shall provide a series of services for the oasis’ visitors. It will not be as immersed in wildlife as the observation points. However, the visitors’ center shall be closely connected with landscape in order to seize the rarer- yet possible- observation opportunities provided by the surrounding nature. The center shall include:

i. Reception/ticket office: this will be the access place to the oasis;

ii. Training center: this space will host meetings and training sessions;

iii. Bookshop: it will sell the typical products of the oasis together with naturalist publications and/ or WWF’s merchandising;

iv. Exhibition space: this place will host temporary exhibitions and describe the story and/or features of the oasis;

v. Guest house + restaurant: here visitors will have the opportunity to experience the hospitality of Maremma surrounded by the beauty of one the first WWF’s oases.

In relation to the visitors’ center, architects shall take the following constraints into account:

• Dimensions of previous functions will not be provided. Architects can choose how much space to dedicate to each element of the program.

• The new architectures hosting functions i, ii, iii, iv can take up the site of area B maximum;

• The new architectures hosting functions iv and v can take up the site of area C maximum;

• Existing architectures will be demolished. Therefore, architects shall not take them into account for the design;

• New architectures shall be 6 meters tall maximum;

• Excavations or underground interventions are not admitted;

• Any arrangement/furniture/equipment of external areas will be admitted;

• Facilities shall be accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and ensure environmental compatibility;

• All functions shall be efficient but also opened to the outside in order to offer visitors views and sightings including from the visitors’ center. ​