Off

OFF is an academic gathering revolving around the recognised state of being off-focus.

Rather than renouncing knowledge, the blurred view encourages creative unease and the embrace of lateral questioning and permanent enquiry.

OFF collects random subjects and artefacts relating to architecture, urbanism and landscape, prividing material for debate.

MEMBERS

Elisa Bacilieri (UniRomaTre) / Federico Broggini (UniFe) / Silvio Cristiano (UniFi) / Fabrizio D’Angelo (UniRomaTre/UniFi) / Alessandro Delli Ponti (UniFe) / Silvia Farano (UniRomaTre) / Federico Marchese (Polito) / Ilaria Maurelli (UniRomaTre) / Emilia Nardella (UniRomaTre) / Sofia Nicoletti Altimari (UniRomaUno) / Giordana Panella (UniRomaTre) / Marco Ranzato (UniRomaTre) / Riccardo Ruggeri (Polito) / Valeria Volpe (UniRomaTre)

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INDEX

DISRUPTION

Monteverde Goes Down / The Construction Site of Imagination / Urban Disruptions as Laboratories for Innovation / Resurgence / The Story of Krater

ENERGY

Positive Energy Districts / Paesaggio Elettrodomestico / Cena Elettrica

SOIL

Asphalt Soils

BIOCLIMATIC

Frigidarium / Alfresco / Spazio Pubblico e Nuove Alleanze / Microclimatic Snapshopts / Ostiense Bioclimatica / Marciapiede Fresco / Borgofresco

CONSTRUCTION SITE

Roma Cantiere Eterno / Trace / Cantieri Istantanei

FOOD

Convivio dell’Abbondanza

URBAN-RURAL

No–City FossileFertile

CARTOGRAPHY

Amphibious Cartoghraphies

SPATIAL JUSTICE

Reframing Spatial Justice / Eccedenza

Reclaiming the Potential of Urban Vacant Open Spaces. The Story of Krater
2025 / Scientific article / Ljubljana, Slovenia

Author: Alessandro delli Ponti
Other: Lorenzo Stefano Iannizzotto

DISRUPTION

In contemporary cities, there are gems of immense potential that are almost invisible: Terrain
Vague or Vacant Land, urban open abandoned spaces without function, where spontaneous nature
thrives. In recent years, innovative and emerging practices have sought to activate the potential of these spaces by embracing their essence through experimental and innovative approaches that integrate ecological, cultural and social interests. However, due to the lack of a legal framework that recognizes the value of spontaneous urban nature and locally self-governed initiatives, projects struggle to be integrated into public policies. This article presents the story of Krater, an experimental project initiated by a multidisciplinary collective in a terrain vague in Ljubljana, providing a detailed account of the project’s history and development, its challenges and goals. The article contributes to a broader debate on the legitimization of spontaneous urban nature, the promotion of multi-species cities, the recognition of the value of terrain vague, and the role of local creative communities and urban commons.