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Centre of Mediterranean Culture
Location
Reggio Calabria, Italy
Architecture & client
Zaha Hadid Architects ↗
Building type
Museum & cultural centre
Project period
2012 – ongoing
Interprogetti’s Role
Structural design & supervision of structural works
Construction status
In progress
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Centre of Mediterranean Culture is a landmark cultural building within Reggio Calabria’s Regium Waterfront. Its changing geometry brings together reinforced concrete, steel and a spatial roof structure.
Interprogetti’s work spans preliminary and detailed structural design, together with supervision of structural works. The engineering addresses the relationship between architectural form, seismic behaviour and construction detailing.
Project Overview
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Centre of Mediterranean Culture is a new cultural landmark for Reggio Calabria’s waterfront.
Its 24,000 m² programme brings together exhibition galleries, an aquarium, an auditorium and educational spaces, exploring the relationship between Calabria and the Mediterranean Sea.
Interprogetti’s scope spans preliminary and detailed structural design through to construction supervision.
Structural Concept
The structural concept brings together reinforced concrete, steel framing and a spatial roof truss to support the building’s complex architectural geometry.
Reinforced concrete is used both below and above the seismic isolation plane, while steel elements form the internal framing and façades.
A MERO space frame completes the system, following the flowing roof profile and its large openings.
Advanced numerical modelling assesses the behaviour of the structural components, supported by interdisciplinary coordination and 3D BIM workflows.
Particular attention is given to the interfaces between materials and structural systems, bespoke connection details and reinforcement layouts.
This integrated approach translates Zaha Hadid Architects’ sculptural forms into a coherent structural system, with careful control of geometry, detailing and constructability.
Mero Space Frame
The roof is formed by a MERO space frame that follows the building’s flowing geometry.
Tubular members and spherical nodes create a three-dimensional lattice, adapting to curved surfaces and large openings.
Parametric modelling, iterative design and 3D BIM coordination support precise geometric control and the integration of the roof with the underlying structure, preserving the continuity of the architectural form.
Seismic
Isolation Strategy
A seismic isolation plane at the top of the basement separates the underground structure from the superstructure.
The system combines friction pendulum bearings with lubricated flat sliding bearings, using 345 devices arranged in four load groups.
Their distribution responds to vertical loads and structural geometry.
This strategy reduces seismic demand on the building, helping to limit reinforcement requirements and improve resilience.
The 76 m structure has a 42 m central span and four access ramps linking the main deck to the surrounding exhibition spaces.
Its steel–concrete composite deck incorporates a steel box section with inclined webs and variable depth, accommodating the architectural geometry.
Finite element modelling and dynamic analyses were used to investigate the bridge’s vibration modes and its response to pedestrian loading.
The study considered different traffic classes across three operating scenarios, examining walking, running and crowded conditions, including the effects of synchronised movement.
Vibrations &
Pedestrian Comfort
At the Centre of Mediterranean Culture, pedestrian comfort forms an integral part of the structural design.
Interprogetti carried out a dedicated study of the vibrations generated by visitors crossing the internal footbridge, which connects two sectors of the museum.
Vertical and horizontal accelerations were assessed against the comfort criteria established by the applicable reference standards.
The studies also examined lateral and torsional behaviour, capturing the response of both the main deck and its connecting ramps.
The results confirmed compliance with the relevant comfort limits in all assessed conditions, including persistent, transient and accidental situations.
By connecting detailed structural analysis with the way people move through the museum, the study supports an approach in which architectural expression, structural performance and visitor experience are considered together.
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