A former Food Market becomes an Urban Lab dedicated to young people. An accessible place with a strong personality. An open and flexible space that mutates according to necessities, ready to host events and new bright ideas. A new landmark for the city.

Located in a small city in the heel of Italy, the former Food Market of Cutrofiano becomes an Urban Lab ready to host events and activities dedicated to young people.

The project considered the accessibility of the building and a new identity, aiming to enhance its appearance, to enforce the sense of belonging of the local community and to highlight its role within the city.

The space is characterized by a great central square and four smaller areas on each corner of the big central room. On of these areas became the food area, characterized by a solid surface covered by white polished ceramic tiles, detailed with a terracotta grout. The other areas will serve to different purposes, depending on the event.

The layout of the central space can be modified according to the different needs, through dividing devices and flexible and multifunctional furniture modules, which would be used as workspaces, selling tables and to simply divide the space into a more functional set up.

The space is strongly characterized by colours and materials, both outside and inside. Entering the space, the observer is attracted by the solid terracotta and blue colour blocks of the big curtains and by the four blue corners which stand out from the grey resin pavement and identify the areas dedicated to the laboratories and make them more recognizable. At the entrance, the access ramp to the building is covered by white ceramic tiles, which is present also inside, as a coating of the food area.

The aim of the project is to promote the usage of the lab and to combine creative activities, events and artistic performances open to the public. The tools and the architectural chosen are designed to guarantee full flexibility and several functions to the space.

The ex-market allows now a new mix of functions, with particular attention to local artisanal products, cultural activities and live performances. The space, which before was anonymous and neglected, is now an accessible place with a strong personality.