Giovanni and Marella Agnelli Art Gallery
1. Section of the art gallery´s raised structure know as the "case": a steel
construction covering mapproximately 450 square meters in which the permanent collection is
kept. Above sections of the art gallery rising up vertically to cover an area of 2.880 square
metres built over six levels
2. View of the entrance to the new Giovanni and Marella Agnelli Art Gallery designed to hold
about twenty masterpieces from the Agnelli family´s art collection. The art Gallery can be
reached through the North tower of the Lingotto or the track on the building´s roof
3. The interiors devoted to host the permanent Agnelli Family´s collection are
designed to bring out the neutral nature of the architecture compared to works on display.
Spotlight on tracks "Le Perroquet" with very low voltage halogen lamps,
different opening beams, assure a uniform lighting, absence of shadow on the pictures and
a direct light on the sculptures
The Art Gallery designed by Renzo Piano on the top of the
Lingotto, old workshop of engineer Giacomo Mattè Trucco brings to close one of the most
original, interesting and extensive over urban-scale operations to implement change and
innovation; an operation thought-up, designed and carried out by means of a fifteen years
long sequence of architectural projects: a new fragment of city geared around the
Lingotto´s architecture. A gently streamlined parallelepiped with glistening steel
sides and zenith light filtered through a flat sieve at the top made of 1746 opaque glass
blades. Naturally kept at a safe distance "the flying carpet". Duly detached below,
there are five floors for hosting temporary exhibitions and other cultural/information
services twisting around the tower togheter with the vertical connections. Works of
architecture inside the architecture. A bit like a race track-tower that can be reached
by taxi up the legendary ramps and mythical track up on the roof, ideally converted into
a urban road unique in its kind. (l´Arca, 176, december 2002)
Turin Lingotto, Italy
(In collaboration w/ Arch. R. Piano)
