 Newsletter 2024 | Pier Luigi Nervi Project FoundationCelebrating the Legacy of Pier Luigi Nervi2024 has been a year of remarkable progress for our Foundation, driven by our unwavering commitment to education, advocacy, and the preservation of Pier Luigi Nervi’s extraordinary architectural legacy. Let us take a moment to reflect on the milestones and achievements that have defined this inspiring year. Educational ActivitiesREcube: A Landmark in Sustainable Heritage Conservation The Recube – REthink, REvive, Reuse project ended this year, leaving a lasting impact on the sustainable conservation and renovation of modern European concrete architecture. As a Cooperation Partnership under the Erasmus+ Programme, REcube brought together over 90 students from 11 Architecture and Engineering schools across Europe..jpeg) The initiative championed a sustainable, integrated, and holistic approach to preserving modern heritage: integrating architectural preservation, structural reinforcement, construction materials science, urban planning, environmental design, historical contextualization, and digital technologies ensuring the sustainable preservation and modernization of concrete architecture within urban environments. Thus, the main goal of the REcube programme has been fostering a transnational vision for regenerating concrete structures and driving cultural transformation in the building sector. Permanent Outcomes:The REcube MOOC: An innovative learning resource now available on POLIMI’s online learning platform. The REcube MOOC is divided into 10 different Knowledge Pillars to address the wider topic of sustainable regeneration of modern concrete architecture with a series of multidisciplinary foci at the crossover of Engineering & Architecture. The REcube partners have contributed their diversified sectoral knowledge as well as individual teaching and research experiences, producing a new model of interdisciplinarity in higher education of the built environment. The REcube Guidelines: Soon to be published as a special fib bulletin, offering best practices for heritage conservation.The REcube Guidelines for Practitioners will convey the scientific approach to the green building regeneration process, establishing at European and International levels the codification of best practises in the Sustainable Regeneration of Modern Concrete architecture. CONCRETO: Shaping the Future of Concrete Architecture Launched in January 2024, CONCRETO—a 36-month Erasmus+ Alliance for Education and Enterprises – is a flagship initiative led by our Foundation. Bringing together 13 partners from 4 EU countries plus Türkiye, the project promotes the preservation and rehabilitation of modern concrete architecture by bridging the gap between theory and practice through education, hands-on training, and international collaboration. .jpeg) Highlights of 2024:Stepping Stone: An online introduction to conservation case studies, over three days, where global best practice in concrete conservation and retrofitting is presented and discussed.Master Your Skills: A hands-on workshop at Politecnico di Milano’s Lecco Campus where students gained critical insights from leading professionals.The CONCRETO Day in Lecco highlighting projects and case studies that represent good practice in Italy in the rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures. The event included a guided tour of the permanent display of twelve architectural icons of master architect / engineer Pier Luigi Nervi.CONCRETO Academy Masterpiece: In Ivrea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 30 students tackled real-world challenges at the iconic Sertec building, focusing on sustainability, craftsmanship, and risk management.The CONCRETO Masterpiece ended with a grand finale on August 23rd – a captivating evening dedicated to one of the most visionary minds in architecture: Twilight Transformations: Pier Luigi Nervi’s Visionary Designs. Prof. Carlo Ostorero from the Politecnico di Torino took us through the architect’s creative journey, exploring how Nervi’s designs reflected and influenced the political, social, and cultural evolution of Adriano Olivetti’s Ivrea..jpeg) CONCRETO has also gained international visibility through participation in prestigious events like SAIE Bologna and conferences in Philadelphia, USA and Santiago, Chile. As we look to 2025, CONCRETO will continue empowering the next generation of experts in concrete heritage preservation. Laboratorio Nervi: A Hub for Innovation and Education At Politecnico di Milano’s Lecco Campus, the Laboratorio Nervi remains a dynamic centre for research, teaching, and experimentation inspired by Pier Luigi Nervi’s visionary work. During 2024, the Laboratory welcomed several hundred students and practitioners, including participants from the CONCRETO Day in June. Looking ahead, 2025 will see an expansion of its educational programmes, ensuring that Nervi’s legacy continues to inspire students and professionals alike. The permanent exhibition, donated by the Fondation PLN Project, follows both Nervi’s creative path and illustrates some of the recurring themes in his thought and work in reinforced concrete..jpeg) Preserving the Architectural LegacyStadio Artemio Franchi: A Critical Fight for Preservation Our advocacy for the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence remains resolute. In February 2023, alongside ICOMOS International, we formally expressed concerns to the Italian Minister of Culture regarding the proposed redevelopment.The winning design of the 2021 competition threatens to overshadow Nervi’s architectural ingenuity, introducing an oversized flat roof and modifications that disrupt the stadium’s urban and landscape harmony. Despite construction beginning in April 2024, we urge the Municipal Administration of Florence to reconsider and preserve this irreplaceable landmark before it is irreversibly altered. .jpeg) 2024: A milestone year for Torino Esposizioni The year 2024 marks an important milestone for Torino Esposizioni. The contracting authority, SCR, began construction in the iconic Salone B for the new Civic Library, designed by Icis, Rafael Moneo and Isolarchitetti. At the same time, work has begun in halls A and C for the Campus of Architecture and Design, based on a project by the Masterplan team of the Politecnico di Torino. In addition, the conservation plan for Torino Esposizioni has been available on the Getty Foundation’s online library since July 2024. Coordinated by Professor Rosario Ceravolo of the Department of Structural, Civil, and Geotechnical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino, the project involved the Pier Luigi Nervi Project Foundation and partnerships with prestigious institutions such as IUAV Venice, Roma Tor Vergata, the University of Miami, and several industry leaders such as Buzzi Unicem, Ecobeton Italy, Leonardo, and CMR-Lab. This comprehensive plan is a key achievement in safeguarding the architectural legacy of Pier Luigi Nervi and ensuring the sustainable reuse of this modernist masterpiece. The collaboration with SCR Piemonte has successfully integrated conservation knowledge into the feasibility studies and final designs, setting a benchmark for the conservation of Nervi’s works, including the Palazzo del Lavoro in Turin, which is awaiting its resurrection. Looking Ahead to 2025 As we move forward, we remain hopeful for positive developments in the preservation of two other iconic masterpieces of Pier Luigi Nervi, the Stadio Flaminio in Rome and the Palazzo del Lavoro in Turin. Modern architecture represents a pivotal chapter in our shared European story—an era of innovation, reconstruction, and transformation. Yet, too often, it lacks the recognition afforded to its historical counterparts. The preservation of such works is not just an act of conservation but a commitment to understanding and cherishing the layers of our cultural identity..jpeg) © Matteo CireneiThank You for Your Support As 2024 draws to a close, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, supporters, and friends who have been integral to our mission. Your support means the world to us, enabling us to honour Pier Luigi Nervi’s visionary legacy and to shape a sustainable future for modern architectural heritage. We cannot do it without your steadfast dedication and collaboration. Together, we all have a vital role to play in conserving European heritage, ensuring that its beauty, innovation, and cultural significance continue to inspire generations to come. Thank you for being part of this important journey with us. Fondation PLN Project |
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