Colonia Principi di Piemonte, Summer camp in Calambrone, Italy
Colonia Principi di Piemonte is a seaside summer camp in Pisa featuring two pavilions arranged parallel to the Mediterranean, connected by a glass-enclosed walkway. The buildings share a distinctive airplane-shaped footprint and maintain generous open spaces between the structures.
The bank Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia e Pescia commissioned this seaside facility in 1932, which operated as a summer camp until 1974. The site then fell into neglect for decades before undergoing major restoration in the early 2000s that converted it into residential apartments.
The complex was originally designed as a summer retreat for children of Air Force personnel, with its layout shaped like an airplane pointing toward the sea. This playful architectural gesture reveals how the space was specifically created for young visitors to spend seaside summers together.
The facility sits at Viale del Tirreno 74 in Calambrone and is easily accessible when walking along the seaside road. Since it has been converted into private residences, the best way to appreciate it is by viewing the architecture from the outside and exploring the surrounding public areas.
This is one of the few examples of rationalist architecture along the Calambrone coastal road, distinguished by its clean geometric forms and functional design approach. The building stands out from surrounding seaside structures through its deliberate modern aesthetic from the 1930s.
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