Bigo (Genova)
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| Bigo | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Bigo at the Porto Antico of Genoa | |
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| General information | |
| Type | Panoramic lift and structural support |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| Location | Porto Antico, Genoa, Italy |
| Address | Calata Cattaneo |
| Construction started | 1990 |
| Completed | 1992 |
| Inaugurated | 1992 |
| Client | Municipality of Genoa |
| Management | Porto Antico di Genova S.p.A. |
| Height | 40 m (130 ft) (panoramic viewpoint) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Renzo Piano |
| Structural engineer | Ove Arup & Partners (Peter Rice) |
The Bigo is an architectural structure in the Old Harbour (Porto Antico) of Genoa, Italy, designed by architect Renzo Piano. Created for the Genoa Expo '92, an international exhibition celebrating the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas, it has since become a landmark of the city's urban redevelopment.[1]
Inspired by both form and name by the traditional shipyard cranes (known as bighi) used for loading cargo, the structure serves a dual purpose. It houses a rotating panoramic lift that offers a 360° view of the city, and it also acts as the main support for the large tensile roof of the "Piazza delle Feste" (Festival Square) below. Due to its symbolic value, the Bigo is featured in the official logo of the Porto Antico.[2]
History and design
The Bigo was conceived as part of the broader recovery project for the Old Port, entrusted to Renzo Piano for the celebrations of the quincentenary of the discovery of the Americas. The structure was inaugurated on May 15, 1992, to coincide with the opening of the Expo.[3]
The architectural design was handled by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, while the complex structural calculations were carried out by the engineering firm Ove Arup & Partners, under the leadership of Peter Rice, a renowned engineer who had previously collaborated with Piano on projects such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris.[4]
Over the years, the structure has undergone maintenance to counteract wear from weather and salt spray. A major restoration and repainting project began in early 2024 to preserve its structural integrity and original appearance.[5]
Description and structure
The Bigo is a complex steel structure composed of a central tilted mast and a series of arms of varying lengths and functions that fan out. Its multifunctional design makes it a central element of the Porto Antico.
The panoramic lift
The Bigo's most prominent feature is its panoramic lift, manufactured by the company Sabiem. The cabin, which can hold up to 30 people, slowly ascends to a height of 40 metres (130 ft) while completing a full 360° rotation, allowing visitors to view the port, the historic city center, and the surrounding hills.[6] The ride is accompanied by a multilingual audio guide and informational panels that help identify key buildings and monuments.
The lifting system, based on a rack and pinion mechanism and tensioned cables, ensures stability even in high winds. The structure is equipped with dual braking systems and automatic safety devices for emergency maneuvers.[1]
Support for the Piazza delle Feste
In addition to its tourist function, the Bigo plays a crucial structural role. Its longer, angled arms support the large tensile structure made of polyester and PVC that covers the Piazza delle Feste (Festival Square), a multi-purpose space used for events, concerts, and an ice-skating rink in the winter.[7] This integration of a scenic element with functional infrastructure is one of the project's most innovative aspects.
Architectural meaning and symbolism
The Bigo is considered one of the most representative works of Renzo Piano's architectural philosophy, which emphasizes the integration of technology, structural simplicity, and respect for the historical memory of a place.[7] The architect himself described the interventions in the port as "very simple gestures which, precisely from their calmness, acquire more strength,"[8] an approach exemplified by this structure.
Its name and design are a direct tribute to the bighi, the metal cranes that once populated the port's docks for handling goods, creating a strong link between the new urban landscape and Genoa’s industrial and maritime past.[9]
The work has been described as a "sculpture-infrastructure," as it successfully combines an aesthetic and symbolic dimension with a purely technical function.[10] Today, along with the Aquarium of Genoa and the Biosfera, the Bigo is one of the most recognizable symbols of contemporary Genoa and the successful redevelopment of its waterfront.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Salvadori, Livio (1992). "Bigo". Casabella (in italiano). Mondadori Media S.p.A. (593).
- ↑ "La storia – Porto Antico di Genova" [The History – Old Port of Genoa]. PortoAntico.it (in italiano). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ↑ "Inaugurazione del Bigo, in occasione dell'apertura dell'Expo 1992" [Inauguration of the Bigo for the opening of Expo 1992]. La Stampa (in italiano). 16 May 1992. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ↑ Del Brenna, Giovanna Rosso (2014). Dalla Fiera del Mare all'Aeroporto. Archeologia industriale e architettura contemporanea nel Porto di Genova [From the Fiera del Mare to the Airport. Industrial Archaeology and Contemporary Architecture in the Port of Genoa]. Collana "per mare" (in italiano). 3. Sagep editori srl. ISBN 9788863732344. Search this book on
- ↑ "Porto Antico, al via il restauro del Bigo, simbolo della città" [Porto Antico, restoration begins on the Bigo, a symbol of the city]. La Repubblica (in italiano). 22 February 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ↑ "Bigo – Panoramic Lift". Porto Antico di Genova. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Old Port of Genoa". Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ↑ "I centri storici e l'architettura contemporanea – Conversazione con Renzo Piano (1992)" [Historic centers and contemporary architecture – Conversation with Renzo Piano (1992)]. CulturaItalia.it (in italiano). 1993. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ↑ "Bigo, un simbolo architettonico genovese" [Bigo, an architectural symbol of Genoa]. Ojeventi.it (in italiano). 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ↑ "Il Bigo – Porto Antico di Genova" [The Bigo – Old Port of Genoa]. Landscapefor.eu (in italiano). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
Bibliography
- Colombo '92 (in italiano). Milan: Lybra Editore. 1992. Search this book on
- Del Brenna, Giovanna Rosso (2014). Dalla Fiera del Mare all'Aeroporto. Archeologia industriale e architettura contemporanea nel Porto di Genova [From the Fiera del Mare to the Airport. Industrial Archaeology and Contemporary Architecture in the Port of Genoa]. Collana "per mare" (in italiano). 3. Sagep editori srl. ISBN 9788863732344. Search this book on
See also
- Renzo Piano
- Biosphere (Genoa)
- Aquarium of Genoa
External links
- Official website
- Redevelopment of the Old Port of Genoa, on the Renzo Piano Building Workshop website.
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