Modern building with perforated facade and geometric opening by a waterfront, reflecting in the water.

A modern building with a perforated facade and a large geometric opening, situated by a waterfront. The building reflects in the water, and there are trees and other buildings in the background.

Interior view of a modern building featuring a large open space with a grid-patterned ceiling, glass walls, and a central area with seating. A person is standing near a glass partition, and there are informational signs and a display board.
A white architectural model showcasing a complex of modern buildings with simple geometric shapes, surrounded by sparse vertical elements representing trees or vegetation.
A triptych of images: the first shows an aerial view of a dock with a ship and surrounding buildings; the second is a detailed image of an architectural mosaic or relief with geometric patterns and structures; the third is a close-up of a human eye with text around it.
A black and white image of a waterfront area featuring several industrial buildings. On the left, there is a modern building with a grid-like facade. In the center, there are large cylindrical silos and a building with a mural. On the right, there is a structure with a sloped roof and visible framework.
A detailed architectural site plan showing the layout of buildings and infrastructure along a quay.
Architectural floor plan of a building with a central open space and seating area.
A floor plan of a rectangular building with various rooms and seating arrangements.
Architectural section drawing of a building with three floors, featuring a central void and staircases.
Architectural section drawing of a building with multiple levels, staircases, and open spaces.

Story

A Landmark of Simplicity and Innovation The MACS, designed by ETB in collaboration with Patscheider & Partner, is an event building that stands prominently along the northern quay of the Ravenna dock. This project is integral to the urban regeneration of the waterfront, a process that involves the revitalization of former industrial spaces and the introduction of new architectural forms. The MACS is characterized by its simple, compact volume, which harmonizes with the fragmented morphology of the dock through its formal clarity and material unity. The building's essential geometry renders it a recognizable landmark within the urban landscape. It engages in a measured dialogue with the existing Port Authority headquarters, reinterpreting the base–upper body composition and central void to create a unifying element. While the existing structure frames views towards the water, the MACS reverses this perspective, opening its central void towards the city, thus offering panoramic views and establishing itself as a discreet urban beacon. The tension between the building's volumetric simplicity and the monumental presence of its central void imbues it with symbolic significance. At night, the MACS transforms into an urban lantern, illuminating the dock and symbolizing openness towards the city. Inside, the layout is designed for flexibility, featuring a large multipurpose hall for events and conferences, marked by spatial and material continuity. The façade is clad with high-performance precast concrete panels in a regular 40×40 cm modular grid. This modularity ensures cost efficiency, rapid installation, and high technical performance, while the sculptural texture provides a compact and contemporary identity. The MACS thus stands as a strategic element in Ravenna’s waterfront transformation, bridging the port's historical memory with its future.

## Design Highlights

Simple, compact volume engaging with the dock's fragmented morphology Central void offering panoramic views towards the city High-performance precast concrete panel façade Flexible interior layout for multipurpose use Symbolic urban lantern effect at night

## Key Facts

Key Aspect Detail
Location Ravenna, Italy
Architect ETB
Engineering Partner Patscheider & Partner
Client Port Authority of Ravenna
Status International restricted competition
Year 2025

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • façade: High-performance precast concrete panels arranged in a regular 40×40 cm modular grid.

Materials

  • concrete — façade cladding
  • glass — interior walls

Construction / Systems

  • façade system: Precast concrete panels in a modular grid, either solid or perforated.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Not specified
  • Lighting: The building acts as an urban lantern at night, illuminating the dock.

Similar projects

More pavilions & installations

Projects by the architect

View ETB

No other projects found for this architect yet.