Green Architecture for a Sustainable Future

Interview with Valerio Cruciani of Urban Grap

In an increasingly sustainability and ecology-oriented world, Urban Grap, an Italian architecture studio, is gaining significant attention for its innovative approach to integrating greenery into architecture. We had the pleasure of interviewing Valerio Cruciani, one of the founders of Urban Grap, to learn more about their projects and their mission to create a harmonious connection between the built environment and nature.

Valerio, let's start with Urban Grap. What does your studio specialize in?

Well, we are an architecture studio that has gradually shifted towards more sustainable, green architecture. This has become our purpose and ambition—to describe this approach. We base our philosophy on integrating greenery not only as decoration or ornament but as an essential part of architecture.

Tell us about a project you'd like to discuss today at DarkiNature.

We have a project that embodies our philosophy and research. It's a project we recently completed near Bologna, part of the Philip Morris compound. It's a building for 4.0 training, aimed at new professionalism. This building reflects our values, with a green roof to reclaim a lost space and a green skin that envelops and harmonizes the building.

So, both visually and functionally, I imagine it also serves as a thermal filter, right?

Yes, indeed. The building is designed to be completely transparent, using natural light throughout the day and all year round. We have an external skin that acts as a filter, shading the direct sunlight and protecting the interior during the hottest hours of the day. This green roof not only enhances insulation but also provides an outdoor space that would otherwise be lost forever.

You've been talking about green as a design tool, a significant focus of your work. However, one might say it's not applicable in all situations. But I know you're also working on school projects, where green can be strategic.

Absolutely. We are heavily involved in schools because it's a crucial theme, especially for the younger generation. Green spaces in schools aren't just for recreation; they become architectural elements, serving to eliminate heat insulation, manage water drainage, provide sound insulation, and help educate students about the life cycle of plants.

Seeing it physically is a different experience compared to reading about it in a book.

That's very true. Our ongoing work involves promoting this concept in various settings, beyond residential or conventional spaces. We've seen it implemented in shops, airports, and more. While it may seem delicate, there's a system for maintenance and management, making it a significant advancement.

It's a different approach, no longer just hard surfaces like concrete; there's a soft, permeable wall.

Indeed, a soft, permeable, beautiful wall—delicate, if you will. It requires care but offers many advantages, capturing CO2, providing oxygen, and fostering an essential connection with our planet and environment.

There's a key word you're working on, and you're in the midst of a competition submission. I'd call it a "bounce-back" word...

Yes, the word we always use, which is also part of our name, is precisely this: we are striving in our architecture and thinking to find harmony, a new connection, to bridge the gap between the built environment and nature. That's our mission.

Urban Grap is demonstrating that sustainable architecture is not just an abstract idea but can be successfully realized, improving quality of life while reducing environmental impact. Their mission to create a harmonious connection between the built environment and nature is gaining ground, inspiring a new generation of architects and designers to consider greenery as an integral part of modern architecture. The future of cities could indeed become greener, thanks to visionaries like Urban Grap.

Interview conducted by Giorgio Tartaro