AMENDOLA SQUARE
Palmi, Reggio Calabria, Italy | 1999
Photographer: Johannes Muller
The project pursued three main objectives: the restoration of the central fountain monument, the restoration of a slope with stairs in two flights containing the basin and fountain on the west side of the square according to the original designs, and last, the complete renewal of the pavement.
The new pavement of the square today shows large dark surfaces of lava stone slabs different in size lined by light, yellowish marble slabs of the famous marble of Trani (Apulia).
The new set up of the pavement was related to the desire to relocate the basin and fountain monument rising from an octagonal pedestal according to the original designs of as its author, architect Jommi. This led to the idea to create the lighter marble rays which, radiating from the corners towards the centre, form a radial pattern of the octagon within the ellipse shaped pavement around.
From two sides these rays reach far out of the borders of the octagon, marking out its two longer diagonals. This perspective play with the forms strengthens the optical effect of Jommi’s fountain monument.
Particular attention was paid to the designs of the flower beds and their contents. Made of reinforced concrete and covered with strips of lava stone, edged with light marble from Trani, the characteristic shape and texture resemble the bark of palm trees which are the most important symbol of this square.