In Novi Ligure, a city in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, BENITO URBAN installed a permanent textile canopy designed to withstand rain, snow, and demanding weather conditions. Following the severe storm of July 15, 2026, which caused significant damage to the trees in Parco del Castello, the structure remained intact.
In the Parco del Castello in Novi Ligure , in the Italian Piedmont, a permanent 380 m² textile roof has been installed , designed to remain in place throughout the year and respond to the climatic conditions of the surroundings.
Unlike a conventional shade sail, this solution has been designed as a fixed and robust structure , capable of withstanding rain, snow accumulation, and demanding weather events. This is especially important in an exposed public space, where safety, durability, and landscape integration are key considerations.
A technical solution for a demanding environment
The project starts from a clear challenge: to create a large-format roof that would not have to be assembled and disassembled according to the season, but could remain permanently installed.
To achieve this, a beige PVC waterproof textile membrane , visually integrated into the park's surroundings, was used , along with metal pillars with a Corten steel finish . The combination of materials results in a durable, functional, and aesthetically coherent solution that blends seamlessly with the Parco del Castello landscape.
The anchor points have been placed at different heights, creating a double-curved shape that improves the overall stability against the wind. This geometry also allows for the creation of the necessary slope to facilitate water drainage and reduce accumulation on the fabric surface.
The structure incorporates metal pillars prepared for anchoring and tensioning the roof, along with cables, clamps and tensioners that allow the membrane to be kept properly tensioned. This system is key to guaranteeing the behavior of the roof under climatic loads and ensuring its long-term stability.
The storm of July 15: a real test of resilience
On July 15, 2026 , Novi Ligure suffered a severe storm that caused significant damage to the city and forced the temporary closure of Parco del Castello for safety reasons.
According to information published by Oggi Cronaca , following the weather event, around 30 trees were damaged within the perimeter of Parco del Castello and about 40 trees were affected in other areas of the city , in addition to emergency interventions to remove obstacles and secure different urban spaces.
In this context, the textile covering remained intact, demonstrating the good performance of the structure in a real and particularly demanding climatic situation.
Structural calculations for a permanent roof
Due to its dimensions and technical requirements, the project included load calculations and a basic project developed with a registered engineer, in addition to the translation of the project with a visa.
These calculations allow us to define how the roof should behave under different stresses: the weight pThe membrane's own properties, the tension of the fabric, the action of the wind, rain, or snow accumulation. They also help determine the height and arrangement of the pillars, the slope of the roof, the anchor points, and the necessary strength of each element.
The result is a permanent textile covering that provides protection, comfort and safety to the public space, while maintaining a careful aesthetic integration into the surroundings of the Parco del Castello de Novi Ligure.
