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Ex Caserma Santa Marta: restoring a unique architectural heritage, deeply tied to the history of Verona (Italy)

Politecnica Building for Humans

Renovation  /  Completed
Politecnica Building for Humans

The design concept was driven by the desire to restore and enhance a unique architectural heritage, deeply tied to the productive and military history of Verona. The project revolves around respect for historical stratifications, reinterpreting them in a contemporary key through a flexible use of space and an architectural language consistent with the identity of the complex. The intervention harmoniously integrates into the urban context of Veronetta, contributing to a broader regeneration strategy promoted by the municipality.
The spaces returned to the city take on new civic and cultural roles, fostering a dialogue between historical memory and contemporary needs.

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East and West Silos seen from the south

The dialogue with the urban fabric is addressed primarily through the redevelopment of the outdoor areas by laying stone paving integrated with patches of grass. Stone seating elements have been installed, reusing stone materials from inside the Arsenale of Verona. To improve permeability, the historical passage on via Cantarane has been reopened, creating a visual and physical continuity from the Casa del Capitano to the provianda. Following the discovery of historical tracks crossing the lot, their path has been recalled through the interior paving. The other two buildings (Casa del Capitano and Guardiania) have been renovated and will be dedicated to services for the local community.

Exterior view from the northwest corner

From an environmental compatibility perspective, strategies outlined by the CAM criteria have been implemented. Some specific elements are noteworthy. For the treatment of existing microflora, an innovative biological product based on licorice extract developed by ENEA laboratories was used. All restoration mortars and finishes are exclusively made from lime and natural pigments. Cleaning was carried out using a micro-nebulization water system, ensuring significant water savings. For the outdoor areas, permeability was enhanced through the integration of grass patches within the paving and the inclusion of soakaway pits for rainwater.

West elevation, ground floor view

The restoration of the Silos di Levante, Casa del Capitano and the Guardiania is a benchmark in urban regeneration, successfully combining the conservation of historic heritage with new functional needs. The project stands out for its ability to merge the industrial and military past of the former Santa Marta barracks with new public and academic uses.
The functional distribution of spaces flexibly addresses the needs of different users: students, citizens, visitors and professionals.
The Silos di Levante is the heart of the project: a multifunctional space featuring study rooms, a refreshment area and a museum path inside the reinforced concrete silos, enhanced by new metal walkways offering a unique and immersive experience.
The recovery of 19th-century tunnels and visible historic foundations adds narrative depth to the intervention. The decision to keep systems exposed respects the existing surfaces and reflects sensitivity toward historic materials.
The design approach is also inclusive, with accessible routes and open civic spaces. This intervention serves as a virtuous model of sustainable urban regeneration, bringing new life without erasing the memory of place.

West elevation, ground floor view toward the cafeteria
This project is an act of care for both the city and its history. Restoring function and beauty to forgotten buildings without stripping away their identity means giving new possibilities to memory. The Silos di Levante, with its monumental architecture and suspended walkways, narrates a productive past that is now reborn as a cultural, educational and civic space. An example of a future that starts by rediscovering the value of the built environment.

Credits

 Verona
 Italia
 Municipality of Verona
 Exhibition spaces and university reading rooms
 12/2024
 3445 m2
  5,603,604.00 €
 Politecnica Ingegneria ed Architettura Soc. Coop.
 Architectural Design and Restoration: Eng. Arch. Micaela Goldoni, Arch. Gianfranco Tedeschi, Arch. Alessandro Uras (Politecnica) Arch. Andrea Carcereri (COPRAT soc.coop.) Structural Design: Eng. Tommaso Tassi (FM Ingegneria) Systems Design: Senior Technician Daniele Ferrarini, Eng. Nerino Valentini, Senior Technician Gianni Andreani (COPRAT) BIM Manager: Eng. Barbara Frascari (Politecnica) Health and Safety: Eng. Alessandro Bonaventura (FM Ingegneria)
 Nord Costruzioni Srl (lead contractor); Elettroimpianti Passarin Srl (electrical systems); Carla Tomasi Srl (restoration works); Gelmini Cav. Nello SpA (technological systems)
 Dr. Monica Endrizzi (restorer)
 Saint Gobain Italia (partition walls and false ceilings); Knauf (partition walls and false ceilings); Opificio BIO Aedilitia (special mortars); Kone SPA (elevators); Emac Italia (tactile guidance paths); Mitsubishi Electric (outdoor AC units); Clivet (AHUs); ForAll; Intra Lighting; Sylvania Group; Archetto Space; Ewo Lighting (lighting fixtures)
 Gabriele Melloni Studio Cento29 Modena

Bio

Politecnica is one of Italy's leading integrated design firms, specializing in Architecture, Engineering, and Urban Planning for over 50 years. With 46 partners and over 350 collaborators, they have completed prestigious projects in 60+ countries, driven by the vision: Building for Humans. Politecnica focuses on community and individual well-being, aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda's sustainable goals. They create infrastructure that connects communities, safe public buildings for social exchange, innovative healthcare facilities, and educational buildings that foster interaction. Engaged in over 150 projects, they support sustainable development globally. With four offices in Italy and a presence in 10 countries, Politecnica excels in managing multidisciplinary, multicultural projects, becoming a global ambassador of Italian design and engineering competence.

https://www.politecnica.it


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