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New European Bauhaus
Project

Retrofitting the UNESCO site of Ivrea

Is it possible to make old cultural sites more energy efficient while preserving their character?

Retrofitting the UNESCO site of Ivrea © European Union
Retrofitting the UNESCO site of Ivrea, © European Union
© European Union, 2021

 

Is it possible to make old cultural sites more energy efficient while preserving their character? ?

The answer lies in rethinking standard retrofitting practices for modern heritage towards combining thermal improvements with architectural preservation and inclusiveness.

That is the focus of Giuseppe Galbiati's project from Ivrea, Italy.

The initiative, titled "Retrofitting the UNESCO site of Ivrea," won in the category "Preserved and transformed cultural heritage" and is one of ten Rising Stars projects of this year's New European Bauhaus Prizes.

His study opens new perspectives, not only towards environmental but also towards cultural sustainability.

The idea is to retrofit three emblematic buildings of the UNESCO site of Ivrea with the latest environmental technologies without losing historical value. The buildings in scope are the Mattoni Rossi factory, the ICO complex, and the Olivetti office building.

The proposed process is structured into five major phases:
 
? Architectural Inquiry
?Technological Analysis
♨️Thermal Diagnosis
?Design Proposal
? Matrix Comparison
 
Giuseppe's research seeks to address the underlying issue of energy consumption within old heritage sites through an inclusive approach.

The redesign process for the old industrial buildings is conceived as participatory. Engaging with the public is key for understanding their concerns and meeting their desires. At the beginning of 2020 they launched a survey in Ivrea, and collected about 1000 responses. Starting from these results, a constructive dialogue between stakeholders and citizens has been established to shape the plans for the Mattoni Rossi and ICO complex.

The proposed renovation will save 55% - 65% of the buildings’ energy demand while preserving and reusing its architectural value and overcoming the current state of semi-abandonment.
 
What is the long-term plan? ?

The eventual aim of this pilot study is to provide a practical tool that can be adapted and repurposed for future industrial site refurbishment in various geographical or cultural contexts.
 
? © European Union
 
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