NABA Design Marathon

Building up infrastructure and giving back to citizens: the twelfth edition of NABA Design Marathon addresses one of the cities’ most important issues, namely the rebuilding of public spaces. Between 6 and 8 May, students accepted NABAs and Gruppo CAP’s challenge. They have worked with various city design projects for the construction and renewal of the Largo Tazio Nuvolari area in southern Milan.

Focus on urban renewal and winning projects

Ten groups of students have designed feasible concepts for urban renewal. Their projects aim to improve the transition between Milan’s centre and southern suburbs. With the help of their mentors Gregorio Poggetti and Maurizio Scalzi (both NABA teachers), they reinterpreted the signs and visual communication, the public furniture, and the services and functions of the square. The aim is to transform Largo Tazio Nuvolari from a desolate “non-place” into a meaningful place for the area and people. This NABA design marathon is thus part of a process of opening up to citizens and involving the area that Groupo CAP chose for its new headquarters.

The best project was “Largo” of the team ZEROLAMPO STUDIO, which consists of the students Vittoria Annoè, Bianca Atzori, Lorenzo Costantini, Sophia Di Nicola and Ottavia Ferraris from the Bachelor’s Programme in Design and master’s training in visual design and integrated marketing communication. “Largo” is investing in art as a means of urban renewal. The ambition is to transform the area into an independent cultural centre: an organisation that activates citizens and captures the interest of artists and designers from all over the world.

Two other projects worth mentioning: “Vuoto a render” by A Parte team Arianna Cannone, Anna Bonomy, Anna Andres Serpi, Andrea Labanca, Erika Montanaro (students on the bachelor programmes in design and in graphic design and communication); “Il farna di Romolo” by Prossima Fermata team Aldo Mucciarone, Allegra Scavone, Camilla Pagin, Martina Petiti, Miriam Rossi (students on the bachelor programmes in design and on the master programme in social design).

The first project aims to involve citizens and social groups through “empty” elements that can be filled with social initiatives. It is a customizable “base package” that, when used, creates cohesion for others and the area. The second project “Il farn di Romolo” is based on a number of elements. Here, the square becomes a meeting place for events and services that change depending on the time of day. The core of the project is the “fire” that characterizes the area and which, thanks to its lighting system, becomes a safety function at night.

NABA’s design marathon is a recurring concept where companies present a project, problem or challenge. You have 48 hours to develop a concept.