Between history, nature, and community 
Preservation and adaptive reuse of a medieval Castle. Sondrio, Italy
Preservation Studio. Politecnico Di Milano. June, 2021

The project aimed to propose a functional adaptation of the medieval structure, ensuring it would provide tangible benefits for the municipality of Sondrio through thorough analysis. Given Sondrio's connection with food and agriculture, we repurposed the castle's empty spaces into a Herbarium with research labs for studying regional fruits and herbs. Additionally, we integrated accommodations like bed and breakfasts and a local restaurant. The expansive courtyard was Proposed for hosting various activities, including farmers markets, apple festivals, and outdoor theater and cinema screenings.

Another crucial aspect was ensuring the castle's spaces were accessible to pedestrians, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities. This involved implementing ramps and lifts whose design harmonized with the historical walls and structure of the castle, avoiding visual and structural disruption. The character of the new elements was carefully chosen to minimize intrusion as much as possible, aligning with the philosophy of preserving the castle's authenticity.