The Market Square is one of Sant'Agostino reconstruction projects after the earthquake that struck the city of Ferrara in 2012. The project involves the realization of a new square and the construction of a sheltered facility for the local market. The square was designed as a large empty room. The room is meant to host special events and is surrounded by trees and shrubs that clearly define its perimeter. The new local market structure is a 4-meter tall rectangular flat roof measuring 20 x 25 meters in plan, built in reinforced concrete and supported by 14 steel columns. The roof is characterized by a concrete beams structure interrupted by a large circular hole 8.4 meters wide. The hole defines the space for a little garden surrounded by a bench. The structure is flexible enough to host collective events or recreational and cultural activities when the market is not active. Besides being a daily support for the local commerce, it aims at becoming a new fulcrum for social life. Its presence, on the former site of the destroyed town hall, will collaborate to the reconstruction of a new sense of community among the inhabitants.

The Market Square is 4 collective spaces in one:

A churchyard
Every Sunday, after the Mass, a flood of churchgoers slowly invades the area across the street, where an animated chattering anticipates the aperitif and an abundant family lunch. From time to time, wedding celebrations deposit a large layer of rice on the porphyry pavement.

A perimetral patio
Every summer evening some old folks enjoy the refreshing breeze while playing cards at the local bar. They sit at an outdoor table next to the chestnut tree, as they did for their entire life. Few meters away, a lady born in Senegal keeps an eye on the 6 year-old daughter while sharing her concerns with few other mothers. They are sat on a couple of benches, facing each other. All their kids are busy with bike races along the alternating pavement strips. A loud imprecation from the group of old folks suddenly interrupts the ladies’ confidences.

A commerce infrastructure
Every Thursday morning the first street vendors’ trucks arrive bit by bit. Moving according to a well-tested choreography, they occupy the plots they have been assigned by the municipality. They extend shadow patterns as the place turns from silent to hectic.

- A forest
On some moonless nights it really feels like a fragment of the beloved forest got trapped between the street lamps. Like the forest, this is the perfect place for love, or for oblivion.