INTEGRATED
ENGINEERING
AND ARCHITECTURE

The redevelopment project of Piazza della Repubblica in Monfalcone, in the province of Gorizia, aimed to reconstruct a new identity rooted in its historical past, capable of providing an opportunity for the creation of history, casting the foundations for future progress. This initiative arose from a growing sense of urban decay and civic inadequacy in the city’s public spaces. A place of significant hierarchical importance for the city was planned, emphasising “history, recognisability, representation, and identity” as identifiers. The design elements can be summarised by the following interventions: new paving of Piazza della Repubblica, incorporating a framework and comprehensive design that aligns with the spatial divisions of surrounding buildings. The focus is on its central area, re-establishing the elevated pedestrian area originally conceived in the 1950s, marked by the streets encircling it. The area is configured to connect the expansive Piazza della Repubblica and the adjacent green Garden area, with a redesigned fountain that establishes direct connections to key features such as the entrance to the medieval city's exhibition space. Another focal area of intervention is the so-called "biscuit" area, aimed at enhancing the identity and scale of a considerably large urban and architectural space. It was decided to reintroduce the original 1930s design, evoking the past with formal elements to restore a sense of belonging to the space. Furthermore, to connect Piazza Unità and Piazza Duomo, enhancements were made using contemporary urban architectural elements that harmonise with the existing built environment. This included integrating the existing fountain and reimagining the layout of the ancient medieval walls.