Molo Galliera, Genoa’s historic breakwater, has long protected the port from waves, storms, and currents. Today, it is undergoing a major transformation: a portion of the existing pier will be removed, and a new, longer structure set further offshore will enhance safety, accessibility, and maritime traffic management. The preserved section of the pier is being reimagined to reconnect the city with its port, both visually and spatially, creating a seamless dialogue between urban fabric and waterfront.
The new archive building A.R.C.A stretches along the pier, forming a distinct horizon that restores centrality to Molo Galliera, a landmark reflecting the legacy of the Duke of Galliera, whose 19th-century donation initiated a continuous process of port development. The architecture acts not only as a container of collective memory but as an urban device, shaping how people perceive and experience the coastal landscape. Its placement along the pier maintains a historical continuity, linking the Old Port, the aquarium, and the congress centre, while extending towards the regenerated waterfront of the ex-Fiera area.
The project introduces new public spaces that encourage interaction and movement, transforming the pier into a civic hub where memory, study, and everyday life converge. A new urban ferry will connect the archive to the ex-Fiera park and other coastal points, strengthening the continuity of the waterfront. The pier functions as a strategic node, connecting the Old Port to Genova Pegli and integrating with existing maritime transport, including the Navebus service. A central docking point serves operators and logistics, complementing the visitor ferry stops and ensuring smooth operational and public flows.
In this way, Molo Galliera is transformed from a purely functional breakwater into a living urban infrastructure, a place of encounter, cultural engagement, and leisure, reconnecting the city with the sea.
Call for Projects 2025 | MEMORIA MARIS
Pro.arch https://progettazionearchitettonica.eu/memoria_maris/
Università Genova
Design team:
Tommaso Brighenti (team leader), Nicola Andjelic, Federica Crescini, Luca Gallazzi, Carlo Lucca, Andrea Matta, Dimitri Nipoti, Andrea Valvason, Nicola Petaccia (urban design)
University affiliation:
Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito (ABC)