After the completion of final testing and supplementary works in August 2024, the Palazzetto dello Sport in Lamezia Terme is now ready to welcome the public. The project, designed by the Milan-based architecture studio Vittorio Grassi Architects, who won the competition organized by the Municipality, marks a significant milestone in the development of the city’s sports infrastructure. With the building now fully operational, the facility is set to become a key hub for local and international sporting events, as well as a center for community engagement and social inclusion.
Architect Vittorio Grassi comments: “I am honored that my studio has signed off on such an important project for the territory and the local community. The Palazzetto in Lamezia Terme is intended to be not just a sports center; from the outset, we envisioned it as a hub for socialization and gathering. In an era where relationships are increasingly fragmented, I believe it is crucial to offer citizens a space that represents a community focal point, a valuable place where people can share values and passions, both athletic and personal. We have had the opportunity to create a dynamic and inclusive agora, accessible year-round to a wide variety of users—from schools to sports clubs, children, and international competitions.”
Designed as a multipurpose center of excellence, the Palazzetto aims to be a landmark for the Calabria region and for Southern Italy. Its strategic location along the Strada Statale 280 dei Due Mari, near the train station, airport, and the A3 Salerno – Reggio Calabria highway, ensures strong connectivity with major regional hubs and a large extra-urban catchment area.
The cutting-edge sports complex covers an area of approximately 8,000 square meters, set within a 5-hectare site. It boasts a seating capacity of 3,500, expandable to 4,300 for conferences and concerts by utilizing the ground floor. The design was conceived to meet specific functional criteria such as optimizing visibility and spectator proximity to the playing field, separating entrances for the public and athletes, and providing daily access to gyms and other spaces with particular attention to the building’s energy and acoustic performance.
Accessibility is the cornerstone of the project. The structure is designed to accommodate athletes and spectators with disabilities, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusion, an essential and timely social issue.
The Palazzetto’s design reflects a careful study of its surroundings and a profound respect for the territory, qualities that are signature elements of Vittorio Grassi Architects’ work. The fluid, asymmetrical shape of the building is inspired by the characteristic profile of the stones on the Lamezia coastline, creating a harmonious combination of aerodynamics, asymmetry, and transparency. The building’s lightness is most evident in the lattice structure of the roof, which consists of thin steel elements and a triple translucent membrane composed of 900 pressurized Teflon ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) balloons, giving the building an avant-garde touch.
The envelope of the structure was designed with the aim of minimizing its environmental impact. The innovative solution of pressure-constant cushions optimizes natural lighting, reduces the ingress of summer heat, and prevents winter thermal losses. Additionally, natural ventilation is encouraged by capturing prevailing winds with the roof’s shape. The building’s transparency, along with both daytime and nighttime lighting, creates dynamic visual effects, enhancing the structure’s aesthetic qualities.
The dialogue with the surrounding environment is reinforced by the large transparent windows on the upper ring of the Palazzetto. These windows allow passersby to catch glimpses of the activities inside and offer a panoramic view of the landscape for the spectators seated in the upper tier. The design of this project confirms the architectural philosophy of Vittorio Grassi Architects, offering an innovative and lightweight structure focused on the service and well-being of the community. It is a facility that not only elevates the sporting experience but also fosters inclusion and unity among its users, further strengthening the sense of community and social cohesion.
For further information visit www.vittoriograssi.it.
