Palazzo Nuovo: interior restyling

Scala elicoidale in metallo verniciato verde inserita in ambiente interno contemporaneo, caratterizzata da struttura cilindrica centrale e parapetto in lamiera microforata che avvolge il percorso di salita. Lo spazio è illuminato da luce naturale proveniente da ampie finestre laterali, con arredi minimali e sedute integrate lungo la parete. L’intervento mostra un elemento architettonico dal disegno moderno inserito in ambiente funzionale, con attenzione al design, alla leggerezza visiva e alla permeabilità della struttura metallica.

Palazzo Nuovo: interior restyling

The project arose from the need to undertake a profound physical, aesthetic, and functional redevelopment of one of the most important buildings of the University of Turin.

Palazzo Nuovo was built between 1961 and 1966 following a competition held by the University of Turin for the new headquarters of the humanities faculties. The project, by architects Gino Levi-Montalcini, Felice Bardelli, Sergio Hutter, and Domenico Morelli, has been the subject of criticism since its completion. Over the years, the debate on its architectural and urban quality has been compounded by a series of technical and construction problems, which have led to the building undergoing a number of functional adjustments and renovations.

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Turin, 2016 – 2018
Client: University of Turin
Design guidelines: Giovanni Durbiano
Photographs: Margherita Brizzi

Photograph of an internal spiral staircase within a double-height corridor, featuring a cylindrical metal structure with a continuous parapet made of perforated sheet metal painted green. The staircase unfolds around a central pillar and connects the building's various levels, appearing as an independent yet visually dominant architectural element within the space. The perforated cladding completely envelops the staircase, creating a continuous curved surface that filters light and allows for a partial perception of the interior, accentuating the effect of lightness despite the structural consistency of the volume. The circular geometry contrasts with the linearity of the surrounding elements, including metal walkways, parapets, and vertical paneling, highlighting the staircase's role as the compositional fulcrum of the space. The space is defined by walls clad in blue panels and perforated metal surfaces, while a horizontal beam crosses the visual field, emphasizing the intermediate level and the overlapping of the walkways. The light-colored flooring and uniform lighting help highlight the cylindrical volume, which takes on a strong sculptural and chromatic presence. The image documents a vertical connecting element designed as an expressive architectural device, in which structure, color, and material contribute to defining the identity of the interior space and organizing the relationship between the different levels of the building.

Photograph of an interior corridor characterized by a highly accentuated longitudinal development, defined by a regular sequence of glass walls and colored panels that rhythmically punctuate the space. The central viewpoint emphasizes linear perspective, with a deep visual slit that draws the eye toward the end of the passageway, highlighting the modular repetition of the architectural elements. Along both sides, a succession of rooms is separated by transparent walls with metal frames, interspersed with vertical orange panels that mark the thresholds and reinforce the serial interpretation of the passageway. The large, pale-colored floor slabs and the continuous false ceiling with linear lighting fixtures contribute to defining an orderly and highly controlled space, where artificial light and modular geometry determine the space's identity. The ceiling lighting, arranged in bands parallel to the direction of travel, accentuates the corridor's directionality and emphasizes its length, while the glass surfaces reflect the light, creating an effect of depth and visual continuity between the spaces. The image documents a contemporary distribution environment, designed according to criteria of modularity and repetition, in which the chromatic composition and the transparency of the partitions help to orient the path and define a clear spatial hierarchy.

Project plan for the functional reorganization of a floor intended for teaching activities and community spaces, represented by a technical drawing indicating the various room configurations. The drawing shows a linear layout with a central distribution, in which the rooms overlook a longitudinal corridor and are organized according to different classroom and common space types. The upper section indicates the main functional uses, including classrooms for lectures or group work, a central staircase used as an informal space for meetings and presentations, and waiting and relaxation areas located near the vertical distribution core. The classrooms are differentiated by internal configuration, with the possibility of different compartmentalizations to adapt to varying teaching methods. The lower section of the drawing highlights the furnishing and installation elements that define the flexibility of the space, including integrated seating, floor-to-ceiling movable walls, computer stations, and panel systems or wheeled whiteboards that allow for rapid modification of classroom configurations. The principle of transversal visual and light permeability is also highlighted, achieved through lightweight partitions and openings that allow for the continuity of natural light between the spaces. The project documents a phase of distributive and functional study, aimed at defining a flexible and reconfigurable spatial system capable of accommodating different learning modalities, fostering relationships between users, and ensuring visual continuity between the corridors, classrooms, and common areas.

Exploded axonometric view of the project illustrating the functional organization of multiple levels of a building intended for educational and collective activities, represented as overlapping planes to highlight the spatial distribution and vertical connections. The drawing shows a sequence of linear floors in which the classrooms are arranged along a central corridor, while specific areas are highlighted with orange fields to indicate the major design changes. The colored volumes highlight the circulation hubs, the communication areas, and the common spaces that span multiple levels, defining elements of vertical continuity between the floors. Alongside the general view, detailed panels show, through schematic three-dimensional views, the various types of spaces envisioned by the project. These include flexible open spaces, waiting and refreshment areas, shared and reconfigurable seminar rooms, and dynamic spaces for rest and socializing, such as bleachers or informal seating areas. The representation highlights the principle of flexible distribution, achieved through lightweight partitions, movable furnishings, and open spaces capable of adapting to different uses. The overlapping levels allow for a simultaneous interpretation of the entire spatial system, demonstrating how functions repeat and transform throughout the building's height while maintaining a coherent distribution structure. The image documents a design scheme used to explain the overall functioning of the project, clarifying the relationship between planimetric organization, collective spaces, and functional flexibility strategies.