Zaha Hadid Architects Wins Naples Competition, Breaks Ground in Reggio Calabria
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) emerged victorious in the competition for the Naples Garibaldi-Porta Est Intermodal Complex, which encompasses the regeneration of the railway area and the Campania Region headquarters. The "Il Faro" initiative covers an area of 200,000 square meters and includes two towers, underground EAV tracks, a green boulevard, and public spaces that connect to the Centro Direzionale. ZHA was announced as the winner on January 31, 2025, after competing against RPA Srl, Mario Cucinella Architects, U.N. Studio B.V., and Arup Italia Srl, with the announcement made in September 2023. Campania Region President Vincenzo De Luca described it as a "symbol of modern Italy." On February 22, 2025, ZHA commenced construction on the Mediterranean Culture Center in Reggio Calabria, with funding of nearly €121 million.
Key facts
- ZHA won Naples Garibaldi-Porta Est competition on January 31, 2025
- Project covers 200,000 sqm including former FS freight yard and Porta Nolana
- Features two towers above a park, underground EAV tracks, green boulevard
- Competition launched September 2023, 30 proposals received
- Finalists included Mario Cucinella Architects and Arup Italia
- Reggio Calabria Mediterranean Culture Center broke ground February 22, 2025
- Center funded with nearly €121 million, 24,000 sqm, starfish-inspired design
- ZHA won Reggio Calabria competition in 2007, originally planned for 2009
Entities
Artists
- Zaha Hadid
- Kenzo Tange
Institutions
- Zaha Hadid Architects
- Regione Campania
- FS Sistemi Urbani
- Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato
- Comune di Napoli
- RPA Srl
- Mario Cucinella Architects
- Van Berkel en Bos U.N. Studio B.V.
- Arup Italia Srl
- MAXXI
- ROMEO Roma
- Artribune
Locations
- Naples
- Italy
- Campania
- Calabria
- Reggio Calabria
- Rome
- Salerno
- Afragola
- Corso Lucci
- Porta Nolana
- Centro Direzionale
- Strait of Messina