Conservation and improvement of architectural heritage. Villa Rossi by G Studio
11/02/2024.
[Banchette - Ivrea] Italy
metalocus, CRISTINA RODRÍGUEZ
metalocus, CRISTINA RODRÍGUEZ
Villa Rossi, located in the heart of Ivrea, has been restored by the architecture firm G Studio. The villa is located within the central area of the UNESCO World Heritage “Ivrea, Industrial City of the 20th century”, located in the Piedmont region, in the province of Turin, Italy.
The villa is part of a group of four villas commissioned in 1959 by senior Olivetti executives from the Employee Housing Consultation Office (Ufficio Consulenza Case Dipendenti Olivetti) and responds to the new language of the office with flat roofs, loggias, parasols, and sandstone cladding of various sizes and shades.
The villa is part of a group of four villas commissioned in 1959 by senior Olivetti executives from the Employee Housing Consultation Office (Ufficio Consulenza Case Dipendenti Olivetti) and responds to the new language of the office with flat roofs, loggias, parasols, and sandstone cladding of various sizes and shades.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Ground floor plan. Villa Rossi by G Studio.
First floor plan. Villa Rossi by G Studio.
Detail. Villa Rossi by G Studio.
Detail. Villa Rossi by G Studio.
Diagram. Villa Rossi by G Studio.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Paolo Mazzo.
Basement floor plan. Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio.
Ground floor plan. Before. Villa Rossi by G Studio.
The villa restored in 2020 by G Studio is distributed on two levels, with the upper floor dedicated to living spaces and the lower floor intended for services and the garage. The project focused on the conservative restoration of the facades and boundary walls and changes to the interior that rationalized the spaces to meet contemporary needs.
The biggest challenge encountered in the restoration was the energy improvement, so the cork insulation on the exterior walls was enhanced to correct thermal bridges and the windows were replaced with new Low-E glass. Outside, the sandstone and terracotta facades were replaced with pieces of fortuitous origin, while inside, asbestos-containing linoleum ceramic coverings were replaced with acacia parquet.
The biggest challenge encountered in the restoration was the energy improvement, so the cork insulation on the exterior walls was enhanced to correct thermal bridges and the windows were replaced with new Low-E glass. Outside, the sandstone and terracotta facades were replaced with pieces of fortuitous origin, while inside, asbestos-containing linoleum ceramic coverings were replaced with acacia parquet.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
Project description by G Studio
Located in the heart of Ivrea, the modern industrial city founded by Adriano Olivetti, Villa Rossi is included within the core zone of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Ivrea, Industrial City of the 20th Century." Architect Enrico Giacopelli from G Studio was tasked with leading the restoration project. The primary challenge was to introduce cutting-edge solutions to improve the building's energy efficiency without compromising its original aesthetics.
The villa is part of a group of four villas commissioned in 1959 by senior executives of Olivetti to the Office of Employee Housing Consultation (Uccd), under the guidance of Emilio Aventino Tarpino, and it fully embodies the new architectural language of the Office with flat roofs, loggias, sunshades, and cladding in various-sized and -toned sandstone. This style aligns with the evolution introduced by Eduardo Vittoria in Ivrea, featuring buildings with vibrant colored sandstone surfaces, in contrast to the more purist previous industrial architecture.
Located on the Banchette hills, at the entrance to the rationalist sequence of works along Via Jervis, facing the park designed by Pietro Porcinai for the Olivetti Office Building, the villa cleverly utilizes the complex topography of the land to determine the arrangement of volumes. It is spread across two levels, with the upper floor dedicated to living spaces and the lower floor reserved for services, including a game room and a garage. The load-bearing structure consists of central pillars and reinforced concrete perimeter walls, seemingly irregularly arranged but functionally rational.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
The fronts of the first floor and the ground floor of the west head are covered with sandstone blocks of different sizes and tones. The south and west facades are adorned with four pearly white glazed terracotta sunshades, adding an elegant touch to the living room loggia. A significant element is the property's boundary wall, approximately 65 meters long, featuring a bas-relief inspired by the famous Olivetti logo, the Greek spiral designed by Marcello Nizzoli in 1954. The windows adopt the "Wagner system," an avant-garde technology introduced in the early 20th century, characterized by two hinged frames and 3mm single glass to create an interstitial space for improved thermal and acoustic insulation.
In 2020, after serving as the client's family residence for over fifty years, Villa Rossi was entrusted to G Studio for a project to adapt it to contemporary needs. The project primarily focused on the conservative restoration of the facades, sunshades, metal components, and the boundary wall. The sandstone facades were restored, and damaged glazed terracotta elements were replaced with fortuitously sourced pieces.
The interior of the villa underwent limited changes, with a focus on rationalizing the spaces to meet contemporary requirements. The most significant changes involved the flooring, with the replacement of asbestos-containing ceramic and linoleum coverings with acacia parquet floors. The original custom furnishings were preserved and restored, contributing to the building's authentic character.
Villa Rossi by G Studio. Photograph by Fabio Oggero.
However, the most significant challenge of the project was energy improvement. The goal was to bring the building to Class B energy efficiency, while respecting the architectural characteristics as much as possible and minimizing the visual impact of the interventions. Insulation was enhanced with cork in the exterior walls and correction of thermal bridges. The original windows were restored and equipped with new lowemissivity glass. The roof was revised to improve comfort, featuring a new stratigraphy, PCM panels, and optimized air circulation.
In summary, Villa Rossi in Ivrea represents a balanced harmony between preserving historical features and innovating in energy efficiency, demonstrating that the past and the future can coexist harmoniously within a single building. This project is a successful model in the field of restoration and sustainable adaptation of 20th-century buildings, with significant implications for architectural heritage preservation.
Architect Enrico Giacopelli's work on Villa Rossi is a successful example of conserving, enhancing, and managing 20th-century architectural heritage. This approach not only adheres to UNESCO guidelines but promotes an active preservation strategy that involves the client and encourages awareness and responsibility in the conservation and restoration process.
More information
Architects
G Studio. Lead architect.- Enrico Giacopelli.
Collaborators
Project and Site Management.- G Studio (Enrico Giacopelli with Cristina De Paoli) – Turin.
Energy Analysis.- Stefano Fantucci – Polytechnic University of Turin.
Plant Engineering.- FAPA Engineering – Turin.
Structural Calculations and Safety.- Eng. Gianfranco Angera – Ivrea, Italy.
Construction and Restoration Works.- F.lli Perino Company – Ivrea, Italy.
Light Carpentry Works.- Rolla Company – Albiano di Ivrea, Italy.
Window Restoration and Carpentry Works.- Bertoldo Carpentry – Vidracco, Italy.
Energy Analysis.- Stefano Fantucci – Polytechnic University of Turin.
Plant Engineering.- FAPA Engineering – Turin.
Structural Calculations and Safety.- Eng. Gianfranco Angera – Ivrea, Italy.
Construction and Restoration Works.- F.lli Perino Company – Ivrea, Italy.
Light Carpentry Works.- Rolla Company – Albiano di Ivrea, Italy.
Window Restoration and Carpentry Works.- Bertoldo Carpentry – Vidracco, Italy.
Area
Site Area.- 2,065.5 sqm.
Covered Area.- 283 sqm.
Gross Usable Area on the underground Floor.- 194 sqm.
Gross Usable Area on the Ground Floor.- 113 sqm.
Covered Area.- 283 sqm.
Gross Usable Area on the underground Floor.- 194 sqm.
Gross Usable Area on the Ground Floor.- 113 sqm.
Dates
Project and Execution.- 2020-2023.
Location
Banchette, Ivrea, Italy.
Manufacturers
Acacia Parquet.- Tolin Parquets - Torre San Giorgio, Italy.
Special Insulation Products.- Infinite R™ PCM, E4e – Arvier, Aosta Italy.
Aerogel.- AMA Aeropan.
Cork Products and Blowing Insulation (Supplier).- Centro dell'Isolamento – Villarbasse, Italy.
Cork.- Tecnosugheri Korkpan and Korkgran tostato.
Pyrolytic Glass.- AGC Flat Glass Italia S.r.l. – Cuneo, Italy.
Ceramic and Sanitary Products (Supplier).- Habitat + – Turin, Italy.
Ceramic Products.- Florim, Ceramica De Maio.
Sandstone Sunshades.- CEIPO – Chiusi, Italy.
Special Insulation Products.- Infinite R™ PCM, E4e – Arvier, Aosta Italy.
Aerogel.- AMA Aeropan.
Cork Products and Blowing Insulation (Supplier).- Centro dell'Isolamento – Villarbasse, Italy.
Cork.- Tecnosugheri Korkpan and Korkgran tostato.
Pyrolytic Glass.- AGC Flat Glass Italia S.r.l. – Cuneo, Italy.
Ceramic and Sanitary Products (Supplier).- Habitat + – Turin, Italy.
Ceramic Products.- Florim, Ceramica De Maio.
Sandstone Sunshades.- CEIPO – Chiusi, Italy.
Photography
Giacopelli, Falletti. G Studio
G Studio is an architecture studio founded in 1985 by Enrico Giacopelli and Mauro Falletti and based in the city of Turin, Italy.
The studio, which specializes in architecture and urban planning, focuses on the ability to listen to and respect the needs, times, and budgets of its clients. Their projects are based on the contextualization of the architectural theme, critical respect for the values of the built environment, and the rational use of resources.
Each G Studio project is the concrete result of the reflection developed by its members around the themes of the conservation of built space, the appropriate use of technology, and the transformation of fragile natural environments, attributing to them the necessary conceptual solidity and pragmatic attitude. to face with competence and creativity a design market in rapid transformation, to which they aim to offer ingenious services and not simple "engineering services".
The studio, which specializes in architecture and urban planning, focuses on the ability to listen to and respect the needs, times, and budgets of its clients. Their projects are based on the contextualization of the architectural theme, critical respect for the values of the built environment, and the rational use of resources.
Each G Studio project is the concrete result of the reflection developed by its members around the themes of the conservation of built space, the appropriate use of technology, and the transformation of fragile natural environments, attributing to them the necessary conceptual solidity and pragmatic attitude. to face with competence and creativity a design market in rapid transformation, to which they aim to offer ingenious services and not simple "engineering services".
Categories
Our selection
