Restoration of Palazzo Santa Croce: new civic library

Lungo corridoio porticato con copertura a volte a crociera intonacate impostate su pilastri in muratura con basi sagomate, affiancato da una serie di grandi aperture ad arco chiuse da serramenti vetrati a tutta altezza che affacciano su una corte interna di edificio storico. Lo spazio è in fase di ristrutturazione, con linee impiantistiche sospese lungo l’asse della galleria, pavimentazione non ancora completata e presenza di materiali e attrezzature da cantiere distribuiti lungo il lato interno.

Restoration of Palazzo Santa Croce: new civic library

The Cuneo Civic Library will take the opportunity to reinterpret and imagine its identity from the contingency of its relocation, recognizing itself first and foremost from an updated perspective of “public library” capable of integrating into the network dynamics of contemporary times both in terms of the organization of recorded knowledge and in terms of its conscious and reasoned openness to the demand for widespread and inclusive sociality.

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Cuneo, 2021 – Works in progress
Client: Municipality of Cuneo
Value of works:12.000.000 €
Architectural project: Giovanni Durbiano (DO) and Isolarchitetti 
Structural project: ICIS srl
Building services engineering: ONLECO Srl and PROECO
Building restricted under Legislative Decree 42/2004

Longitudinal elevation of a historic building constructed of exposed brickwork, featuring a modular façade punctuated by rectangular openings with brick cornices and horizontal string courses. The building extends over multiple levels, with a pitched roof and projecting eaves, overlooking a city street. Along the façade, fences and construction site signage are visible, indicating ongoing redevelopment work, with temporary vehicles and materials positioned along the sidewalk.

The longitudinal interior space undergoing renovation features a double-height white-painted metal structure supporting an upper gallery with glass parapets. On the left side, a sequence of arched openings punctuates the interior elevation, while on the ground floor, newly installed flooring, construction materials, and operating equipment are visible. The space features technical systems integrated into the attic structure and finishes currently being completed, highlighting the dialogue between historic elements and contemporary additions.

A double-height interior space undergoing architectural renovation, featuring suspended walkways made of painted metal and glass parapets connecting the two sides of the space. The original volume, covered by plastered vaults, retains arched openings and a stone portal framing the perspective sequence of the historic spaces behind, while the new lightweight structures and integrated systems highlight the contrast between contemporary elements and the existing architecture undergoing renovation.

The vaulted interior with a plastered barrel vault ceiling underwent a renovation project, incorporating new metal-framed vertical connections and glass parapets. The contemporary staircase extends through the center of the space with overlapping flights and suspended landings, while horizontal metal beams connect the side walls without altering the vault's historic geometry. A large window opening at the back illuminates the space, highlighting the contrast between the original masonry surfaces and the new architectural elements currently being completed.

The interior space undergoing renovation features a load-bearing structure with cast iron pillars and white-painted metal beams, including a new elevator shaft with a steel frame and glass infill. In the foreground, a staircase with metal railings leads to the upper floor, while unfinished surfaces, temporary systems, and construction materials are visible along the corridor. Large side windows provide natural lighting, highlighting the contrast between the historic structural elements and the new contemporary additions currently underway. 

A large library room created within a historic vaulted space, featuring a plastered barrel vault and high perimeter walls fully equipped with floor-to-ceiling metal bookcases. The renovation project introduces a suspended steel structure with a walkway and contemporary staircase, supported by metal tie rods and integrated with technical lighting, allowing access to the upper level without interfering with the original volume. The ground floor features reading tables and reference stations on a herringbone parquet floor, highlighting the dialogue between the restored historic architecture and new functional elements intended for the library or study space.  

A reading room created within a historic vaulted space, featuring a plastered barrel vault with side openings that provide natural lighting. The renovation included a lightweight suspended metal structure that integrates technical lighting and support systems for the bookcases, arranged along both sides of the room with floor-to-ceiling shelving. A large reading table sits at the center of the space, while the herringbone parquet flooring and contemporary furnishings highlight the dialogue between the original architectural volume and the new functional layout intended for use as a library or archive.

The internal courtyard of a renovated historic building features plastered facades punctuated by arched openings and regular windows arranged on multiple levels, with cornices and string courses defining a historic architectural layout. At the center of the open space is a large, organically shaped, red contemporary sculpture, set on stone paving, while the courtyard is surrounded by façades with large glass windows, suggesting the functional reuse of the interior spaces. The presence of people and street furniture indicates the space's new public use, highlighting the dialogue between restored historic architecture and contemporary additions.

Architectural plan of the ground floor of a historic complex with a central courtyard, represented in a dimensioned technical drawing with load-bearing walls highlighted and the layout of the interior spaces. The project shows the organization of the spaces around the main porticoed courtyard, with rooms arranged along the perimeter and vertical connections and integrated services. On the right side, the volume of the adjacent church, designated as the Church of Santa Croce, is visible, while the main entrances and the modular layout of the openings are shown along the street front. The drawing includes project grids, restoration indications, and references to the surrounding streets, documenting the redevelopment of the entire block.