In Turin, Lingotto’s roof is transformed into a garden

In Turin the historic test track of the former factory in Via Nizza, already renovated in 1985 by Renzo Piano, will soon be transformed into a roof garden. The announcement of the roof renovation project, by Fca President John Elkann and Fiat Brand Olivier Francois, was made on the occasion of the world preview presentation of the Nuova 500 3+1 and the entire range of the Nuova 500 at the Lingotto.

“Nature reappropriates industrial architecture” says the architect of the project Benedetto Camerana “on the other hand here was the Lingotto farmhouse before Senator Agnelli decided to build this fantastic example of industrial architecture”.

The 500SKYDRIVE project, designed by the architect Benedetto Camerana, foresees the realization, at the level of the former test track, of a linear urban park, with public access, able to integrate a path for electric and hybrid cars (in electric function), pedestrian and bicycle paths. The same asphalt on which the Balilla and Mickey Mouse used to run will be transformed into a large natural garden, designed by more than 20,000 plants, a selection of 94 essences of the highest quality. The inauguration is scheduled for July 4th, when the ribbon will be cut at Casa 500.

“We wanted to give a strong demonstration of concreteness in this difficult period we are living through, showing that we are carrying on with the projects and commitments we have made,“ said John Elkann at the end of the presentation. “Today you have seen a product that is manufactured here in Turin. And we are at Lingotto where there is this important project to give it a future in a key related to the moment we are living: it will be the highest and most important suspended park. A project that is part of the more general project of the 500“.