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Invesco Real Estate, an asset developer, has appointed COIMA Image to carry out the restoration and full architectural upgrade of the 21,000-sqm Palazzo Alosio. The building dates back to 1937 and was designed by the architect Ottorino Aloisio, the main exponent of rational architecture in Turin. With Giuseppe Pagano, he designed the general layout of Via Roma, and in particular, the building involved in the intervention. The project enhances the historical aspect of the building, with the restoration of the façade that is faithful to the functionality and rigour of an iconic style with great elegance, in harmony with the buildings along Via Roma as part of the general plan. The intervention for the external façade contrasts with the one for the courtyard interior, which is completely redesigned to meet the needs of contemporary life. The portion at a height of -1.8 m can be reached by cars, providing temporary parking for residents, along with spaces for bicycle parking and for pedestrians. Amid renovated materials and a selection of trees species, the inner courtyard is once again enhanced and connected with the two new entrance/concierge halls via paths outlined with planters, seats, and areas for rest. The internal redevelopment of the courtyard also envisages enhancement of the existing balconies. The new terraces are more functional and efficient thanks to various interventions, such as structural upgrades and expansions, a reinterpretation of the original design of the parapets, and the insertion of planters and vertical screens that allow the greenery to grow while blocking interior views of the units. Enhancement of the building entails the maintenance of commercial activities on the ground floor and the complete return of the upper floors to residential space, for a total of 76 units of various sizes: two-, three-, four-, and multiple-room flats and duplexes. The flavour of rationalism, which denotes the exterior of Palazzo Aloisio, also guides the interior design with attention to the spirit of the place. The style of personalization proposed for the flats is inspired by three figures of reference in Piedmontese design: Antonelli, Mollino, and Olivetti. For each style, the finishes may be varied in two chromatic tones, a darker one and a lighter one, thereby offering a wider selection. The new entrance halls will be equipped with two different concierge points, one on Via Gramsci and one on Via Buozzi, to control access and manage common services that were introduced. These include a package and purchase storage area with refrigerated lockers, a children’s play area, a co-working area with meeting rooms, a common room, a party area, and a gaming/cinema area. The roof has been completely redeveloped, with recovery of the existing portico for new residential use, and creation of a large common terrace. By continuing the two existing stairwells to the roof — which was possible due to their presence in the original project from 1937 — the rooftop is made accessible to residents and becomes a bright, ample space that presents a unique panorama of the city and its architectural symbols. It is one of the first times in Turin that exterior spaces are not privatized, instead encouraging their shared use. Systems The scope of the project design is to develop a sustainable building, which is why an integrated project was implemented. Importance was placed on the life cycle of the building, which involved very high energy performance through the integration of the building envelope and MEP systems, the use of renewable energy sources such as geothermal and solar, and the use of active and passive systems to reduce energy needs. The building meets the highest standards of comfort, energy efficiency, and environmental compatibility, since it does not directly emit CO2 due to the use of an advanced geothermal system; together with a photovoltaic system and thermal insulation, it falls under energy class A. Structures and Underground Floors The load-bearing structure of the building consists of reinforced concrete beams and columns in the underground floors and up to the first floor. These then give way to solid brick masonry, while the perimeter above the sixth floor consists of cavity walls. Above ground, the reinforced columns remain, delimiting the two spans of floors that rest on the above-mentioned perimeter walls. The four stairwells that distribute access to the various floors also consist of solid masonry and work with the other vertical structures to support the floors in ribbed reinforced concrete, with permanent brick formwork. The project involved the general consolidation of the structures, which was also necessary after annexing the old unused cinema, which enabled the creation of a new ramp that descends from the courtyard to the two underground floors where the cellars and garages are located. These are highly valuable spaces, since no redevelopment project in this central historical area has managed to include garages on the property.
COIMA Image, founded in the eighties by Alida Forte Catella – today the CEO – is a firm that creates architecture, interior design and space planning, with a precise goal: the top-flight design of environments and locations of the utmost quality. Thanks to a team specialized in the integrated design of offices and residences, COIMA Image approaches each new challenge with the same enthusiasm, whatever the type or scale of the project. The firm’s mission is to produce meaningful, lasting designs that maximize client wellbeing. The working relationship with the client is key to each project, making possible custom-tailored, quality initiatives characterized by advanced design, concern for sustainability and user experience, and adherence to cost estimates and timing. Today COIMA Image is experiencing a moment of great growth, thanks also to those who work alongside Alida Catella, such as Maurizio De Pellegrin, Gianmarco Bocchiola and Ines Bovone.
