VERSO

Concept and Context: Inspired by Italo Calvino’s Moriana, Verso is a spatial translation of urban duality. The project is centered around an imaginary creature called Vector, a “directed force” that maintains equilibrium between the city’s contrasting realms. The architectural form is not a static shell but a physical manifestation of Vector’s daily routine. Derived from the Italian concept of “direction,” Verso functions as a dynamic urban model where biological movement defines spatial mass. The project explores the tension between the seen and the unseen, translating a living organism’s balancing role into a complex, layered spatial form. The project’s aura is defined by a transition from permeability to density. Structurally, Verso is powered by a metabolic cycle composed of four main modules. These modules aggregate to create distinct spatial atmospheres: “Absorption Spaces” for gathering, “Transformation Hubs” for processing, and “Storage Units” for memory. In the Bright Side, the geometry is expansive and light-filled, utilizing semi-transparent modules. As the organism moves toward the Dark Quarter, the architecture constricts into “Enclosed Information Hubs.” These labyrinthine paths reflect a heavier character, where information is stored as “distorted memory.” This modular system mimics the creature’s anatomy, creating a serpentine circulation that serves as the city’s primary skeleton. A Day in Verso As I move through the “Heart of the Bright Side,” the atmosphere feels rhythmic and airy. I am surrounded by semi-open voids that seem to inhale the surroundings; there is a sense of collective energy as information flows through the wide, spiraling ramps. However, as I follow the creature’s path toward the inner sanctums, the light fades and the walls tighten. The air grows still in the “Silencing” zones. Here, in the core modules, the architecture feels like a protective cocoon, guarding the city’s secrets. Walking through Verso is not just traversing a building; it is participating in a metabolic cycle of gathering, converting, and remembering.