The Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park was born out of Fiorentina’s desire to create a unique sports complex, integrated into the landscape of the Arno plain in Bagno a Ripoli, south of Florence. The area, of great environmental and historical value, preserves traces of the Roman centuriation system, which influenced the orientation of the playing fields, arranged to symbolically form a “V.” The project also highlights important archaeological finds—a Roman road and a necropolis—unearthed during excavations. At the center of the complex stands an artificial hill featuring the Chapel of Saint Catherine and the Events Pavilion, the heart of Viola Park. The development blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape: low-profile buildings surrounded by greenery create a balance between city and countryside.

From an architectural standpoint, the project involved the restoration of an 18th-century villa and the installation of glass-enclosed pavilions dedicated to campus activities, which function as true technological hubs. The structures, made of steel, wood, glass and aluminum, are designed to ensure sustainability and efficiency: they include sports facilities, medical spaces, and residential areas, as well as rainwater harvesting systems. The natural green and brown color palette contributes to the complex’s harmony with the surrounding environment.

Laura Andreini is an Associate Professor of Architectural and Urban Composition at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Florence. Alongside her work as a designer and lecturer, she is deeply engaged in in-depth research and critical reflection, serving on the editorial boards of journals, publishing essays and articles, and speaking at numerous conferences.