SAVANA
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Savana is a modular anti-terrorism barrier inspired by the natural instinct of animals to protect their family. It is characterised by a strong balance between the heavy part of the eco-concrete base and the light part of the wire mesh. In addition to protecting people, the barriers are benches on which people can sit. Thanks to their iconic shape they can characterize a place, that can become a meeting and socialising point.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
Savana is a project realized in collaboration with Special Vibro company. The main subjects are a group of animals with very primitive forms which, despite the intense process of simplification, remain easily recognisable. The protective instinct that animals have for their families can be compared to the purpose of an anti-terrorism barrier: to protect people. The special feature of the project is its ability to create new places and new points of interest.
The barrier is characterised by a strong balance between the light part of the wire mesh and the heavy eco-concrete part. The eco-concrete base is based on a study of the so-called New Jersey barriers: wider at the bottom and narrower at the top to lower the centre of gravity and support impacts. The base also has holes on the upper surface into which steel tubes are inserted to hold the supports. The base, bench and supports are the same for all animals. The supports are welded: the front ones to the bench, the back ones to the backrest and the side ones to the head. This assembly makes the structure dismountable and reusable, as required, in whole or in part.
In some cases, by adding the backrest, it has been possible to create an optical effect: from a long distance the animal seems to be a whole, but when walking up to it, it becomes a bench. On the lower part there are guides that allow the barrier to be lifted and moved.
Key objectives for sustainability
Savana is sustainable because it is made of materials such as stainless steel, that is completely recyclable, and an eco concrete, which are solid and resistant materials, excellent for its purpose.
This project is a modular system that can be assembled and disassembled very easily. If damaged, the components can be replaced. Thanks to its modularity and the possibility of on-site assembly, it can be easily transported without wasting space and resources.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Savana is beautiful because its minimalist and neo-primitivist appearance makes it highly iconic: the animals become like statues, totems that have the ability to characterise a place and make it unique. Thanks to it, a square, a street, everything can become a place of interest where people can meet and stop by. In addition, its strong simplicity gives the barriers a balanced and harmonious appearance, also given by the contrast between the light steel part and the heavy concrete base.
Though the purpose is to deal with dramatic events, the intention of the project is to create an environment that is not only safe but also pleasant and does not communicate anxiety to people.
Key objectives for inclusion
Savana is an inclusive project because, thanks to its distinctiveness, it can characterize a place. It can become a meeting and socializing point for everyone. Savana is a project that involves everyone in an indirect way: it protects all people, without any distinction.
Innovative character
Savana is a highly innovative project. For the first time, an anti-terrorism barrier has been conceived as a product with a strong aesthetic. Today there are no anti-terrorism barriers with zoomorphic shapes. Its appearance manages to turn such an aseptic product into something playful and nice.
In spite of its atypical shape, it still fulfills its function: the base was born from the study of New Jersey barriers.
