Publications
Beyond the Factory Town: Sustainable New Uses and Cultural Continuity of Olivetti’s Architectural Heritage in Ivrea, Italy
Adaptive reuse of twentieth-century architectural heritage, such as Olivetti’s buildings in Ivrea, Italy, must balance contemporary functionality with cultural and material integrity to ensure long-term sustainability. A qualitative study of four case studies within the UNESCO World Heritage site revealed that successful reuse depends on preserving spatial structure, constructional logic, and urban context while accommodating new functions. The research used an interdisciplinary framework of eight indicators—spatial adaptability, social impact, heritage conservation, and environmental performance—to assess transformations from original to post-reuse configurations (T0 to T1). Findings highlight cultural continuity as a multidimensional condition, offering a critical evaluation tool for modern architectural heritage conservation.
La « collection » Olivetti. Architecture et enjeux du moderne dans l’Ivrée contemporaine | The Olivetti ‘Collection’: Architecture and the Challenges of Modernism in Contemporary Ivrée
Ivrea's industrial modernity, epitomized by the Olivetti project, is revealed as a complex urban system integrating architecture, production, social reform, and territorial planning. Unlike traditional interpretations focusing on individual buildings, this study highlights the interconnectedness of factories, welfare facilities, residential districts, infrastructures, and landscapes, with via Jervis, Talponia, and La Serra serving as key examples. The research also addresses the challenges of preserving Ivrea's modernist heritage post-UNESCO World Heritage List inscription in 2018, particularly concerning boundaries, authenticity, adaptive reuse, and conservation of materials. It advocates for an integrated strategy to safeguard spatial, social, and landscape relationships, ensuring the enduring relevance of Olivetti's architectural legacy.
Understanding Youth and Empowering Cultural Heritage Transformation: A Case Study of HEY Ivrea! Heritage Enhancement Through Youth
A groundbreaking initiative, 'HEY Ivrea! Heritage Enhancement Through Youth,' demonstrates how cultural sites can effectively integrate youth as co-creators in heritage management. By employing participatory methods such as hackathons and workshops, the project empowers young people (ages 15-24) to contribute meaningfully to both tangible and intangible heritage at Ivrea's UNESCO World Heritage Site. This approach shifts youth from passive beneficiaries to active stakeholders, fostering innovation while preserving tradition. The study highlights a successful model for inclusive heritage governance, aligning with international frameworks that emphasize youth participation in contemporary cultural practices.
Architetture olivettiane: un itinerario da sud a nord
A notable contribution to the study of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this work highlights Adriano's architectural and urban planning achievements within Ivrea, particularly between 1930 and 1960. It showcases innovative residential neighborhoods for Olivetti employees, such as the Summer Colony in Massa Marittima (1948-1958), which exemplifies harmonious integration with natural landscapes. The Factory of Pozzuoli (1951-1954) further illustrates Adriano's design prowess, blending industrial functionality with scenic views of the Gulf of Naples through a meticulously crafted garden. Additionally, the 1936-1937 Regolatore della Valle D'Aosta plan underscores Adriano's regional planning expertise. The study emphasizes the significance of these works in shaping Ivrea's urban landscape, which was later recognized by UNESCO in 2018.
Industrial Heritage and Citizen Participation: The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ivrea, Italy
Community engagement in managing UNESCO World Heritage Sites can significantly enhance preservation efforts and foster innovation, as demonstrated by the case of Ivrea, Italy. Designated as the 'Industrial City of the 20th Century' in 2018, Ivrea's industrial heritage, particularly tied to the Olivetti factory, presents a unique opportunity for cultural and creative industries to drive social advancement and economic sustainability. A multidisciplinary participatory approach revealed limited community awareness of the Site Management Plan, highlighting the need for more inclusive governance. Collaborative efforts, especially involving youth, have generated innovative ideas that could shape Ivrea's future as a permanent cultural cluster. This study underscores the potential of citizen participation in transforming industrial heritage into a catalyst for community well-being and urban development.
Color in modern architecture of Olivetti's town
A groundbreaking analysis reveals the significance of color in Adriano Olivetti's modern architectural heritage, challenging the notion that his work was limited to rationalist models. The study, conducted by Giacopelli, Gualtieri, and Zerbinatti (2023), employs a dual approach: methodologically, it delves into precise material analysis to uncover the less minimalist vision behind Olivetti's designs; operationally, it addresses conservation challenges posed by the unavailability of original materials. This research is pivotal for understanding Ivrea's UNESCO-listed industrial city, offering insights into its chromatic complexity and guiding restoration efforts. The findings highlight the importance of preserving this 'world of colors' while navigating contemporary material constraints.
A multicriteria decision aid perspective that guides an incremental development of knowledge and fosters relationships and decisions
A multicriteria decision aid methodology offers a promising approach to address the complex challenges faced by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by its application to Ivrea, Italy's 54th site. This integrated framework combines Problem Structuring methods with Multicriteria models to structure fragmented knowledge and analytically evaluate alternative policies or projects, facilitating their ranking and selection. The study highlights how this approach can guide incremental knowledge development while fostering relationships among stakeholders, thereby reactivating the enhancement process of large, heterogeneous urban systems. By bridging technical analysis and stakeholder engagement through preparatory workshops, the methodology provides a robust tool for effective communication and decision-making in preserving such significant heritage sites.
A UNESCO Site as a Tool to Promote Local Attractiveness: Investigating Stakeholders’ Opinions
Ivrea, Italy's second UNESCO-listed industrial site, holds significant potential as a cultural and tourist attraction, particularly for promoting Adriano Olivetti's visionary ideals. A study analyzing stakeholder perceptions revealed that the site could generate new tourist flows while preserving its historical legacy. Researchers used a structured questionnaire and Delphi method interviews to gather insights from public and private stakeholders, followed by nominal group technique analysis to prioritize findings. The results highlight Ivrea's ability to blend cultural dissemination with tourism growth, offering a model for other industrial heritage sites.
DIKEDOC: a multicriteria methodology to organise and communicate knowledge
A novel multicriteria methodology, DIKEDOC, has been developed to organize and communicate dispersed knowledge about complex problems, particularly when decision-making processes are latent or inactive. This approach integrates logical and analytical tools to generate insights at a technical level and fosters interactive spaces for sharing perspectives, exploring actions, and addressing uncertainties. A pilot study applied this methodology to the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Ivrea, industrial city of the twentieth century,' which faces challenges despite numerous research activities. DIKEDOC aims to guide incremental knowledge development, foster relationships, and inform policies by logically describing action spaces and their associated uncertainties.
Il patrimonio abitato: Ivrea città industriale del XX secolo e i quartieri residenziali nel processo di candidatura UNESCO
Ivrea, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its 20th-century industrial heritage, presents a unique case study in urban heritage management. Despite extensive architectural and urbanistic studies since the mid-1990s, the city's Olivettian residential neighborhoods—still inhabited in a shrinking urban context—were excluded from the core and buffer zones of the UNESCO designation. This exclusion highlights the complex interplay between cultural events like UNESCO nominations and the material, immaterial, and policy dimensions of heritage preservation. While such events offer opportunities for economic, ecological, and social sustainability, they also pose risks of urban fragilization. The study underscores the need for innovative approaches to balance heritage valorization with community engagement and sustainable urban development.
Methodology for energy retrofitting of Modern Architecture. The case study of the Olivetti office building in the UNESCO site of Ivrea
A novel methodology, MERMA (Methodology for Energy Retrofitting of Modern Architecture), demonstrates that energy efficiency retrofitting can achieve a 55% reduction in energy demand for modern heritage buildings without compromising their architectural integrity. Applied to the UNESCO-listed Olivetti office building in Ivrea, Italy, this interdisciplinary approach integrates thermal improvement with preservation concerns, ensuring compliance with regulations while maintaining heritage value. Unlike conventional retrofitting methods that prioritize energy savings alone, MERMA justifies combined interventions for high-quality post-war architecture, offering a sustainable solution that balances cultural and environmental goals.
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