The Andria Cooperative studies and builds homes starting from the housing needs of its members, which means satisfying the needs of the whole family, including those of the little ones. For this reason, precisely in 1995, Andria started a new project named Coriandoline, the houses that respond to a different way of living, suitable for children.
To accomplish the project required 13 years of research, carried out with the contribution of 700 children from the nursery schools of Correggio and Rio Saliceto (towns in Reggio Emilia province), who worked alongside educators, technicians, artisans, scholars and artists.
After 4 years of reflections, workshops and exhibitions, in 1999 the Manifesto” of children’s housing needs was born, a document in which emotions, ideas, moods and desires of children were collected. From this work, it was taken a decalogue that inspired the realization of the project: Coriandoline houses are transparent habitable, hard outside, quiet, playful, soft inside, decor, intimate, adults, children, magical.
In September 2008, this study finally came to fruition: in the municipality of Correggio (RE), the colorful Coriandoline district was inaugurated.
RESEARCH IN COLLABORATION WITH NURSERY AND INFANT SCHOOLS.
12 schools with 700 children, 50 teachers, 2 child psychologists and a group of 20 people consisting of architects, teachers and surveyors were involved from the outset in this project.
Some craftspeople (builders, carpenters...) built real models.
SELECTION OF EXPERIENCES IN THE FIELD OF TOWN PLANNING AND PARTICIPATORY AND COMMUNICATIVE DESIGN
WWF initiative – INU (Istituto Nazionale di Urbanistica – National Institute of Town Planning). Selected Project.
COLLATING AND PROCESSING THE INFORMATION GATHERED.
All the material produced in the research was collated, classified and ordered in a large display involving the schools and the whole community.
SELECTION OF PARTICIPATORY AND COMMUNICATIVE TOWN PLANNING AND DESIGN, INU – WWF
EXHIBITION
Europolis – Palazzo dei Congressi – Bologna February 1996
LE CASE DEI SOGNI – DREAM HOUSES
EXHIBITION
Palazzo Lasagni - Correggio
A REFLECTION ON THEMES SUGGESTED BY THE CHILDREN.
The birth of Francesco.
Our child psychologist was involved in this new project: a son.
This event brought us to relax our deadlines and reflect on the research carried out.
We identified the strong points and arguments which merited further reflection.
The methods required for a resumption of the work were defined and decided upon.
The children occupy the city with the power of their imagination
2nd research stage.
CARDBOARD HOUSES in the SQUARE
The square in Correggio is invaded by a multitude of cardboard houses.
The kids’ town occupies the grown-ups’ city (and the kids symbolically take over the city with their imaginations).
When children’s ideas find a home
Architectural Design Workshop
Faculty of Architecture
Università degli studi di Ferrara/Ferrara University
Academic year 1998 / 1999
MANIFESTO OF CHILDREN’S LIVING NEEDS
BOOK
Published by Rimini Maggioli Editore
The results of the research collated in a book.
VIDEO
Conversations with children were recorded, and their opinions and observations form the backbone of this precious document.
EXHIBITION
Palazzo dei Principi – Correggio
The materials produced by the children and the research havebeen developed by the schools were shown in a large exhibition.
CONVENTION
Palazzo Bellelli – Correggio
STRATEGIES FOR A MORE HUMAN ARCHITECTURE
CONVENTION
Symposium
Palazzo Congressi/Congress centre – Bologna
TOOLS AND DYNAMICS FOR A NEW ARCHITECTURE
CONVENTION
SAIE – Symposium
Palazzo Congressi/Congress centre – Bologna
The friendly city for girls and boys.
The proposed regional law and experiences in Emilia Romagna
REGIONAL SEMINAR
Sala del Consiglio Comunale/Council Chamber – Cavriago
4th International Video Festival of Architecture
Università degli Studi di Firenze Facoltà di Architettura
Firenze/Florence University Faculty of Architecture
The project commences
Research becomes a project: all these ideas need to find a home!
This is a difficult moment in which ideals have to come face to face with facts.
It is also a great time when at long last we take the step of passing from words to facts.
We try to take a step (or three) forward.
HABITER – “La Ville aux Enfantes”.
The child-sized city.
CONVENTION
Istituto Italiano di Cultura/Italian Institute of Culture - Paris
National Conference for Environmental Education
CONVENTION
Porto Antico – Centro Congressi Magazzino del Cotone
Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Education – Genoa
From Home to City – the new human side of living.
CONVENTION
Polo Universitario G. Marconi Council House – La Spezia
The Educating City – child-sized projects
for girls and boys.
CONVENTION
Council House – Ravenna
Coriandoline friendly houses for girls and boys
PRESENTATION OF THE ROUGH PROJECT
We used the same methodology for the design as we had for the research.
A rough project outline was mapped out (first stage) which was then used to build on; the ensuing reflections helped us to make corrections and improvements to the project.
Presentation of the Town Plan Development of the Architectural Project
The planning of the neighbourhood was presented, the project developed and, with the help of Emanuele Luzzati a 1:25 scale model was constructed, so that perspectives and architectural details could be studied.
Presentation of the Project - Start of work
In the presentation of the project, much effort was made to keep up the inter-disciplinary spirit that had developed during all the previous work stages up to then:
- A performance by the Emiliano Clarinet Quartet of the symphony entitled “Let’s Build a City”, a composition for children by P. Hindemith, which was specially arranged to become the signature tune for the neighbourhood.
- A video film (cartoon) made with drawings by E. Luzzati which illustrates the project in its various aspects.
- The book by G. Pederiali “Le Case dei Sogni Bambini/ The Children’s House of Dreams” which recounts the whole experience through the form of a fantasy story.
The Construction Site
After a long period of participation and intense customising efforts, the families built the homes they had wanted.
The building work was done with special attention and care on the part of the construction company and the technical experts.
Everybody involved had a special desire to make this project work and got carried away by the infectious enthusiasm of the whole team.
Emanuele Luzzati came several times to Correggio to follow the work in progress.
End of Work / Handing over the Dwellings
The families went to live in their new homes.
The neighbourhood came alive and slowly exuded its magic.
The children found places, opportunities, slides, transparencies, playfulness...
often unexpected and the more amusing for that.
“Andria’s Children’s Neighbourhood goes to Osaka”
Seeding / Planting and finalising the outside
Final touches were put to the seasonal aspects and other details needing special attention, thus completing the project.
Flowers lend colour to ideas.
INAUGURATION!