Architectural Cases

Reimagining Art Spaces: A Symphony of History and Innovation

The Visionary Restoration of a Postwar Icon

The Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, designed by Carlo Bassi and Goffredo Boschetti and completed in 1959, stands as a testament to postwar modernist architecture. Its distinctive diagonal placement within the urban grid was a deliberate choice to bathe its galleries in natural light. The original design boasted an expansive, open-plan interior, allowing for fluid and adaptable exhibition arrangements. However, subsequent modifications, driven by evolving museum standards and safety protocols, gradually diminished these intrinsic qualities. Over the years, the museum saw its gardens enclosed, skylights sealed, external fire escapes added, and gallery spaces increasingly compartmentalized, obscuring its initial architectural brilliance.

Reviving Architectural Essence and Enhancing Visitor Experience

The proposed renovation seeks to meticulously peel back these layers of intervention, reinstating the building's initial spatial clarity while seamlessly integrating contemporary museum requirements. A core aspect of the design involves reopening the skylights to invite natural light back into the exhibition halls and removing most internal partitions to restore the plan's original flexibility. The cumbersome external fire escape stairs will be replaced by a new internal circulation core, harmonizing with the building's foundational organizational logic. Within the galleries, a sophisticated suspended grid system will be installed between structural columns, providing a versatile framework for movable walls, curtains, and exhibition elements. This innovative setup will empower curators to effortlessly reconfigure gallery layouts, accommodating diverse exhibition formats without the need for permanent structural alterations.

Democratizing Art: Publicly Accessible Collections

A groundbreaking element of the project lies in the transformation of the basement into an open storage facility, welcoming visitors to explore previously unseen parts of the collection. This bold museological approach challenges traditional boundaries between storage and exhibition areas, making a larger segment of the museum's holdings visible to the public. It also offers a unique glimpse into the intricate processes of conservation and collection management. This strategy aligns with a broader contemporary trend among cultural institutions to enhance public access to their collections, offering richer and more immersive engagement opportunities beyond conventional gallery displays.

Forging Urban Connections: A New Public Thoroughfare

At ground level, the design introduces a new diagonal public pathway that gracefully traverses the museum site, weaving beneath the main exhibition volume and connecting various parts of the surrounding neighborhood. Extensive glazing along this route will allow natural light to filter into the lower levels, simultaneously creating captivating visual links between the public thoroughfare and the open storage spaces below. This intervention transcends mere circulation; it is conceived as a dynamic urban public space capable of hosting a myriad of activities. Furthermore, it will establish a more direct pedestrian link between Turin's historic center, the Polytechnic University of Turin, and OGR Torino, enhancing urban connectivity.

Sustainable Renewal and Future-Proofing

Beyond the architectural and experiential enhancements, the project integrates a series of measures aimed at bolstering the building's environmental performance while conscientiously preserving its original design elements. Existing furniture, integral to the museum's initial scheme, will be meticulously restored and reintegrated. Materials reclaimed from demolished components will be repurposed in new constructions, embodying a commitment to sustainability. The renovation also includes crucial upgrades to the glazed skylights, significantly improving both environmental efficiency and the reintroduction of natural light into the exhibition spaces, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for the gallery.

The revitalization of these specific terraced residences represents a thoughtful transformation of mid-20th century cooperative housing. Initially constructed in 1957 under the guidance of Marko Šlajmer and his team, these homes were pioneers in cooperative living, symbolizing the innovative spirit and confidence of their era’s young architects. The original design ethos emphasized practical construction, efficient space utilization, and a superior quality of life, all while introducing a groundbreaking spatial arrangement. However, these older units were characterized by smaller rooms and limited natural light, contrasting sharply with today’s desire for spacious, well-lit living environments.

The comprehensive renovation initiative sought to modernize these dwellings for contemporary living without sacrificing their inherent architectural integrity. The project's core objective was to reimagine the constrained interiors, expanding them into bright, open spaces that cater to modern aesthetic and functional demands. This involved a careful redesign that enhanced natural illumination and fluid spatial connections, thereby addressing the limitations of the original layout while preserving the historical significance and foundational principles of the initial cooperative housing venture.

This renovation not only breathes new life into aging structures but also champions the idea that architectural heritage can be successfully integrated with contemporary needs. It underscores a commitment to adapting historical buildings for future generations, demonstrating that with thoughtful design, spaces can evolve to meet changing lifestyles while maintaining a profound connection to their past. Such projects are vital in urban development, promoting sustainable practices and celebrating the continuous evolution of residential architecture.