Montenovo Castle

Stitching a deep wound in the fabric of a historic building means not only restoring its form but giving it dignity, continuity, and value. The intervention on the south-east wing of Montenovo Castle, which collapsed following an extraordinarily intense calamity, stands as a virtuous example of architectural regeneration, where contemporary language meets the responsibility of history.
Starting from a thorough morphological and geotechnical analysis of the site, the project involved the construction of deep foundations on reinforced concrete piles – structural elements with diameters up to 2 meters and depths of 20 meters – to ensure the stability of the new building structure. The reconstructed part was realized through a reinforced concrete frame system, with Predalles-type prefabricated floors, ensuring high structural performance while maintaining an architectural profile coherent with the context.
The dialogue with the pre-existing structure guided every design choice. Original materials were carefully recovered and reintegrated – from period roof tiles and bricks to the wooden beams used in the turret – which today become tangible signs of memory, discreetly integrated into the new composition. The local stone masonry, reproduced in the curve of the south-east tower, consolidates the material and perceptual link with the historic building.
Great attention was also given to the building systems, with the installation of climate control and ventilation systems, designed to ensure environmental comfort and stable thermo-hygrometric conditions, without altering the authenticity of the spaces.
The project is completed with a new panoramic terrace, a true belvedere suspended over the surrounding hilly landscape. Equipped with technical provisions integrated into the walking surface – including a concealed rainwater drainage system and windproof housings for temporary coverings – the terrace defines a resting and contemplation area from which to visually embrace the entire territory.
The restoration of the south-east wing of Montenovo Castle therefore does not only reconstruct, but reinvents with respect: a measured, conscious design gesture that restores the building to its completeness without ever losing contact with the historical and material roots from which it originates.