The regeneration project for the former hospital campus, undertaken by Cino Zucchi Architetti, transforms a large public hospital whose facilities had been gradually abandoned over time. The new complex, intended as a retirement home, is organized around a polygonal layout centered on a multi-level inner courtyard. Interior gardens act as a unifying element, organizing the circulation corridors, rooms, and common areas around them.
On the exterior, a structured grid clad in ceramic panels blends harmoniously with the historic center of Riva del Garda. Inside, the inner courtyard is configured as a more intimate and welcoming refuge, evoking the atmosphere of a small village. While there is an apparently strict order structuring the entire project in relation to the neoclassical layout of the former hospital, "The Welcoming Citadel" promotes continuity with vernacular techniques, evoking the traditional limonaie (lemon groves) typical of the region.
Residential Care Community “The Welcoming Citadel” by Cino Zucchi Architetti. Photograph by Davide Galli with drone operator Marco Mezzani.
Project description by Cino Zucchi Architetti
Winner of the international competition for the new Welcoming Citadel within the former civil hospital – promoted by the Public Service Agency Città di Riva – this project is ruled by hospital design principles placing the vulnerable guests at the center of its focus. The goal was to create not just a service facility, but a welcoming and therapeutic environment that could ensure a high quality lifestyle standards and ensure efficiency and functionality thanks also to the continuous interaction with the surrounding nature.
Moving away from the traditional approach of “isolation” that has often characterized such health facilities, the new complex is thoughtfully integrated into the urban fabric of Riva del Garda, fostering interaction and dialogue with its surroundings. The citadel is not just a place of care but an inclusive space that enhances both the well-being of its guests and its relationship with the city.
Located at the northernmost tip of Lake Garda, Riva del Garda is a town steeped in history of about 17,000 inhabitants, where the Alpine slopes meet the lake’s mild climate. In the early 20th century, a large public hospital was built here, serving as a key healthcare and rehabilitation center for decades. However, as medical needs changed, the facility was gradually abandoned – ironically, partly due to its location.
The regeneration of the former hospital campus – designed by Cino Zucchi Architetti and Euro Project Engineering Consulting with Arturo Busetto – has transformed the site into an assisted living residence while simultaneously redefining a part of the city. The new complex follows a polygonal layout centered around a multi-level inner courtyard. This space helps create continuity between open areas and sheltered pathways, reinforcing the relationship with the garden and the surrounding landscape. The circulation system is designed for smooth, intuitive movement, with corridors, rooms, and communal areas arranged around the internal gardens in a way that echoes the organic forms of nature.
The interiors are structured around a circulation ring that prioritizes livable and accessible spaces dedicated to socialization for the 60 residents and 20 daily guests. The rooms are distributed in three clusters of 20 patients, one of which is specially designed and equipped for Alzheimer's patients. The interior design of the private areas is simple and discreet, but the experience is enriched by carefully considered details: courtyards planted with olive trees and rosemary, panoramic views from rooms and hallways, and a bright lobby illuminated by skylights, featuring sinuously shaped furnishings.
On the exterior, the Citadel is wrapped in a structured grid clad in ceramic panels. The façade alternates with slender and large columns, creating a rhythm of panels, windows, and open loggias. This seemingly strict design establishes a dialogue with the neoclassical layout of the former hospital while also recalling the traditional limonaie (lemon houses) typical of the region.
While the exterior blends harmoniously with Riva del Garda’s historic center, the inner courtyard offers a more intimate and welcoming atmosphere, evoking the atmosphere of a small village. The pyramid-shaped skylights emerge as sculptural elements that also serve as outdoor seating along raised flower beds. The irregular roofline appears to echo the silhouette of the mountains in the background, while the inner walls – clad in composite wood slats – feature a series of irregular openings that create a uniform yet dynamic pattern.
Through an approach focused on energy efficiency and the integration of multidisciplinary strategies, the Welcoming Citadel of Riva del Garda has achieved LEED Gold certification, pursuing environmental balance without compromising its architectural and compositional quality.
