FISHERMEN'S LAB

The project is located in Torre a Mare, a former fishing village in Puglia. Fishermen’s Lab is a project designed to honour the Mediterranean Seafood Culture, while aiming to revitalise the dying art of fishing as well as the depopulation of Torre a Mare. The project provides vessels, and fishing hub facilities for local fishing families, a fish market space, as well as a fish based culinary school. Inside the object, a production line that leads the fresh fish into the culinary art, emphasising on locally sourced, fresh ingredients, forming the basis of Mediterranean cuisine. The project has been designed to adapt to seasonal changes as well as the rising tourism of the area, while providing a space for local fishermen and their families to gather, share and celebrate the catch of the day as well as the fish as a product. The new proposal exhibits the re-use of the existing concrete frame, building on top as well as the expansion of the building in the sea. A structural steel framing system has been introduced to support the expansion, following the principal concrete frame grid. A lightweight steel structure has been chosen, creating a contrast with the existing ‘heavy’ concrete frame.