New court surface and lighting (image @ Fabio Oggero)
by Ron Bernthal
The winner of a competition to restore Turin’s popular Circolo della Stampa Sporting (Sporting Press Club) was announced in February, 2021, as the Turin-based Studio De Ferrari Architetti. The architectural firm recently restored the original building into a modern and larger club, just in time to become one of the training courts for the November, 2021, Nitto ATP tennis tournament. As per Turin’s contractual agreement with the ATP the venue will continue to be part of this presitious annual tournament at least through 2025.
The $560,000 project focused on the restoration of the 2,900 seat Club House facility, originally designed by the architect Domenico Morelli in 1943. The private foundation, Compagnia di San Paolo, has supported the restoration efforts to enhance the history of a venue that will host many of the world’s top tennis players. The Nitto ATP brings the top eight men’s players in the ATP rankings into Turin for the seven-day tournament, which is broadcast around the world.
(images@ Fabio Oggero)
A beautiful new canopy now protects the entrance to the atrium where the interior spaces have been reopened to display the original mosaic columns and plastering. A new lighting system for the atrium and meeting rooms was designed in collaboration with the manufacturer Rimani, and the travertine floor has also been restored thanks to finding the same original slabs at Catella Marmi, a stone and marble contractor in Moncalieri, a neighborhood just 12 minutes drive from the Club House.
Modern entrance created during restoration (image @ Fabio Oggero)
The restoration also focused on the renovation of a dark and dreary 1960’s era shed, recovering its valuable and aerial metal structure enhanced by the new and technological semi-transparent polycarbonate coating of the facades and roof. The result is a new international training center that is much appreciated by the athletes of the ATP Finals. The lighting system, court dimensions, playing surface in Green Set, and internal height all comply with the required standards for an international tennis tournament. A grandstand with 200 seats has direct access from the via Agnelli public street, while the terrace – back stage – is reserved for technical operators with entrance from the Club.
Redesigned space for social functions and relaxation (image @ Fabio Oggero)
Finally, the changing rooms were completely redesigned with a style in line with the functional and image needs of not only the athletes, but also of the local members who will use it in the future. The yellow color of tennis balls characterizes the furnishings and spaces designed as places to relax.
Colorful design in changing rooms at Circolo della Stampa Sporting (images @ Fabio Oggero)
The project was carried out thanks to the support of Intesa San Paolo, main sponsor of the club and with the support of the Piedmont Region, the Municipality of Turin (owner of the club), and the collaboration of the Manager of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the city of Turin.
The newly restored Circolo della Stampa Sporting venue is located just five minutes walk from the Pala Alpitour, the the largest indoor facility in Italy, with a capacity of 15,000 seats. This venue, which opened in 2002, hosts national and international sporting events, concerts and shows. For the ATM Finals tournament, Flexible stands were set up to hold up to 12,000 spectators for the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals, although the final number of spectators permitted was lower due to Covid restrictions.
Pala Alpitour is a 5-minute walk from the newly restored Circolo della Stampa Sporting tennis center. (image meetingecongressi.com)
Both the Pala Alpitour and Circolo della Stampa Sporting is located in the Santa Rita district, next to the Olympic Stadium and in front of the beautiful Piazza D’Armi. Pala Alpitour was designed by two international architects, Arata Isozaki and Pier Paolo Maggiora, whose futuristic building measured 600 feet-long, 100 feet-long, and 60 feet-high (developed on four levels, two of which are underground). It is entirely clad in stainless steel which rests on a 16 foot-high high glazed base.
