Work has begun on the Centre of Mediterranean Culture, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) for a site on the Strait of Messina between Sicily and the Italian mainland.
The 24,000 sq m development will contain permanent and temporary exhibition space, an aquarium, conference facilities, an auditorium, classrooms, leisure areas, bookshop and restaurant.
The building is designed to mimic the radial symmetry of a starfish, according to ZHA, with four wings that emerge from a double-height atrium. Computer modelling was used to determine how these should best be sited to shelter visitors from sunlight and to offer views of the port to the east, the city to the south and Sicily to the west.
The project has been designed to protect against the strait’s strong winter winds while allowing natural ventilation in the summer. This will be assisted by a 90%-opaque anodised aluminium façade.
The centre’s interiors are inspired by the colours, plants and animals of the Mediterranean maquis landscape, and will have 60 varieties of native plants.
ZHA won the competition to design the centre in 2007, with funding secured in 2021.
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