ECÒL's Temporary Piazza dell'Immaginario Wins Awards Despite Demolition

ECÒL, a young architecture studio based in Prato, Italy, created the temporary Piazza dell'Immaginario in 2015 in the Macrolotto 0 district. The project, a collaboration with Dryphoto Arte Contemporanea and cultural association [chì-na], transformed a neglected private parking lot into a vibrant public space using low-cost materials and community participation. Despite being dismantled in 2018 due to changes in supermarket management and citizen complaints, the piazza continues to receive recognition. It won the 2017 Premio dell'Architettura Toscana for best first work, was featured in Crimson Architectural Historians' contribution to the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale, and recently tied for first place in the national section of the Premio Gubbio organized by Ancsa. The project cost under €10,000 and involved local residents in its construction. ECÒL founders Cosimo Balestri, Emanuele Barili, and Olivia Gori discuss their approach to temporary urban interventions, the importance of community engagement, and their future plans to explore permanent architecture while continuing to focus on social and participatory design.