Between decay and indestrictability

Terraviva Competitions | 2023

Between decay and indestrictability Associated with Tatiana Dimou Architects

Rural Housing | The Adaptive reuse of an Italian Cascina

Located in northern Italy, the Po Valley is a vast geographical area that extends from Piedmont to Lombardy, reaching Veneto and Emilia Romagna up to the Adriatic Sea. The region, characterised by a mostly flat rural landscape, is crossed by numerous important rivers including the Po, the Adige and the Ticino. Often referred to as “the cradle of Italian agriculture” due to its rich farming tradition, this area has been shaped over centuries by human activity.

The northern plains represent not only a major source of economic livelihood, but also an environmental and cultural heritage of great importance for Italy. In fact, in terms of architectural legacy, one of the most characteristic treasures that outstands in the area are the famous farmhouses called “Cascine”.

These typical historical complexes are a significant and fascinating part of the country’s rural inheritance.

Scattered throughout Lombardy, they represent a centuries-old tradition of life and work linked to the countryside. The genesis of these peculiar buildings begins between 1400 and 1500, ending in the early twentieth century. Although many of them have not withstood the passage of time, others have survived until today, such as the case of Cascina Lossano.

The challenge of this competition was to define new ways of living in the Italian countryside through the adaptive reuse of a traditional “Cascina”. The concept known as “adaptive reuse” is increasingly being used not only as a premise to promote a more sustainable architecture by recycling existing structures and materials, but also as a way to preserve the unique character and heritage of a place, contributing to the overall cultural identity of a community. The main goal was to transform this historical complex into contemporary homes immersed in the landscape. We were encouraged to imagine a complete renovation of the disused farmhouse with the ambition of enhancing its most characteristic features.

BETWEEN DECAY AND

The aim of this proposal is the retrieval of Casci old existing shell is set as a basic design rule. T redesign of build

Imitating the traditional condition of Cascinas a this situation by reconfiguring the site’s relief. A those that need more infill (such as the Porch, corten leave

The interior of each building is optimally treate More specifically, the Manor’s and Farmer’s ho Porch (due to its peculiarity with its strong bric the open and the closed, as well as the visual redefinition of its previous functions (such as t synthetically for the interior or the creation of a rior). The Garage becomes a place for physical accomo

By creating small public places for communic swimming pool as a reminder of the importance is trying to resurrect these abandoned infrastruc ing com

D INDESTRICTABILITY

ina Lossano’ s rural life. The preservation of the The engravings of the plot itself give rise to the dings’ exteriors.

as a fortress/enclosed infrastructure, we reinvent All buildings are clad with corten details, while , Garage and Pigsty) use both metal supports, es and glass.

ed in order to acquire unique spatial qualities. ouse maintain a more rural character, while the ck cages) plays with the private and the public, views of each place. The Stable gives rise to a the feeders and watering troughs that function a semi-open-air arcade with arches on the extel exercise, while the Pigsty fuctions as temporary odations.

cation, collective cooking and eating, a small e of the water canals around the land, our team ctures and turn them into a new sustainable livmplex.

MANOR’S HOUSE The Manor House: somehow maintaining its original function, this building should be rehabilitated as a single housing unit. We could modify both the vertical circulation and the layout of the internal walls according to the new distribution. Also, we were allowed to relocate the original interior functions as preferred.

On our proposal, the Manor’s and Farmer’s house steadfastly preserve their rustic essence in the exterior, remaining true to their agricultural origins.

FARMER’S HOUSE For this one-storey volume, which today is in a more degraded state compared to the adjacent building, it was requested to design two independent units that could be divided horizontally or vertically as duplexes.

Transforming this old “Cascina” into a housing complex has been a rewarding but challenging endeavor too. During the whole process of the study, several challenges and obstacles came up. Determining which original construction elements to preserve was crucial for maintaining the historical and architectural significance of the property.

Aligning with our office’s philosophy and our aim to accentuate the architectural heritage of the original structures, we embraced the requirement to preserve most of the building envelopes. Our goal was to emphasize the primary structure and highlight any intriguing materials that bore witness to the site’s historical restoration.

Our primary challenge was to establish a new community within a cohesive framework that maintai ned a connection with the Cascina’s rural roots. The variety of materials used on the building facades posed a significant question: could this diversity coalesce into the desired uniformity? This prompted us to explore the concept of employing a distinct material for each new intervention. Our objective was to bestow a fresh identity upon the “Cascina,” using a material that would signal the new additions without overshadowing the existing structure. Ultimately, we chose Corten due to its enduring qualities and the subtle elegance.

STABLE The Stable undergoes a notable transformation, reimagining its past functions. Elements such as feeders and watering troughs are ingeniously repurposed to serve the interior spaces in a symbiotic manner. Additionally, the creation of a semi-open-air arcade adorned with graceful arches on the exterior breathes new life into the structure, bestowing a sense of continuity and aesthetic allure.

This building represents probably the biggest challenge! Today, both the ground floor and the first floor are open spaces with no existing interior divisions.

Participants were asked to design two or three independent units, which could be distributed above and below, or as duplexes.

GARAGE Regarding their functions and materiality, for the garage and pigsty there were no restrictions.

They could be either new homes, mixed spaces or perhaps common-use areas.

The Garage takes on a fresh role as a dedicated space for physical exercise, fostering an environment conducive to health and well-being.

PORCH The Porch, striking for its materiality in exposed bricks, was about to house the most peculiar units of the complex. The idea was to propose two or three apartments that enhance the double height of the original building and the particularity of its original finishes.

Finally, the building stands out with its distinctive feature of sturdy brick enclosures, skillfully navigating the boundaries between privacy and openness, blurring the lines between public and private spaces. It offers captivating visual perspectives of each area it connects.

PIGSTY The Pigsty finds a renewed purpose as temporary accommodations, exemplifying the adaptive nature of the Cascina’s revitalization.

The external appearance of the building, including the roof, windows, and façade, should be maintained or restored to retain its historical and aesthetic value. In some cases, we add some roof windows to increase the light that gets in and the interior experience which is now a new one.

Overall, whenever feasible, original construction materials are preserved or replaced with similar materials to maintain authenticity. Any elements that contribute to the historical significance of the Cascina, such as feedlot and watering can in the stable, or unique architectural features, should be carefully preserved and be integrated into the new architectural use.

As for the exterior, we loved the context of the Cascina, as well as the view from the inside of the buildings to the old fields of crops. We would like to consider a scenario that preserves the surrounding landscape, that complement the Cascina’s historical context.

Preserving and adaptively reusing rural buildings for contemporary pu First of all, rural buildings often carry historical and cultural significance, re allows for a sense of historical continuity, conne

Repurposing rural buildings often demands creative solutions from us too. these structures for contemporary needs while respecting their historical con typically situated in natural settings. Their adaptive reuse can enhance the a healthier lifestyle and a greater appreciation for nature. Moreover, the ‘’b who for many decades are

Adaptive reuse is inherently sustainable as it repurposes existing structures, mental impact. It aligns with contempo

In conclusion, prioritizing the preservation and adaptive reuse of rural buildi promoting sustainability, and fostering community well-being. It celebrates tributing to a richer, more diverse a

Associated with Tatia

Tea Tatiana

Maggie Karagkouni, Evina K

urposes holds several architectural, cultural, and community benefits: eflecting the heritage and traditions of a region. Preserving these structures ecting contemporary communities to their past.

. Architects and designers are challenged to find innovative ways to adapt ntext, resulting in unique and imaginative designs. Rural buildings are also connection between residents and the surrounding countryside, promoting back to the countryside’’ concepts, gives a new aspect of design to architects e devoted to the big cities.

reducing the need for new construction materials and minimizing environorary sustainability goals and practices.

ings for contemporary purposes is essential for maintaining cultural identity, the past while enhancing the present and future of countryside areas, conarchitectural and cultural landscape

ana Dimou Architects

am: Dimou

Karantoni, Maria Malatara.

Terraviva Competitions | 2023

Between decay and indestrictability Associated with Tatiana Dimou Architects

Rural Housing | The Adaptive reuse of an Italian Cascina