174
R. Neri
4 Montello Barracks, Between via Caracciolo,
via Arimondi, via Bertolini, via Amari. Adaptive Reuse
for Prison Decongestion Structures, Public Housing
and Collective Services
The Montello Barracks, former “Caserma di Cavalleria al Rondò della Cagnola”
(Cavalry Barracks of Cagnola Circus), was built between 1910 and 1913 on the
boundary of Corso Sempione, historic axis of Milan’s expansion toward the northwest, in a segment between the current Piazza Firenze, via Caracciolo, via Arimondi,
via Bartolini and via Amari. The ensemble’s typology, pavilions type, was recurrent
in the later nineteenth century, recommended by the reference handbooks to several
large urban facilities (barracks but also hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, markets,
expo, etc.). The project aims to answer to several current urban and social emergencies and requirements. In detail, there are provided: structures for the reduction of the
prison overcrowding, by means of a housing unit for the semi-detention treatments
placed in a new construction toward via Bartolini; some studios and workspaces for
training and apprenticeship, obtained reusing the stables and the riding-school building near to via Arimondi; also, public housing and accommodations for students,
immigrants, elderly and vulnerable population obtained recovering a large part of
the building in via Caracciolo. In the central part of lot, there will be a new compound building, that has an out-of-alignment position against the original complex.
This will host an auditorium and other cultural and associative spaces, as well as
sports equipment and a public swimming, with adjoining cabins and utilities; while
on the short side toward via Amari, a linear building hosts a cafeteria, a library and
study rooms (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 Axonometric view from northeast of the Montello barraks to prison decongestion structures,
public houses and collective services. Design group: E. Bordogna, G. Canella, E. Manganaro with:
T. Brighenti, F. Costantino, L. Locatelli and students of the Scuola di Architettura Civile
R. Neri
4 Montello Barracks, Between via Caracciolo,
via Arimondi, via Bertolini, via Amari. Adaptive Reuse
for Prison Decongestion Structures, Public Housing
and Collective Services
The Montello Barracks, former “Caserma di Cavalleria al Rondò della Cagnola”
(Cavalry Barracks of Cagnola Circus), was built between 1910 and 1913 on the
boundary of Corso Sempione, historic axis of Milan’s expansion toward the northwest, in a segment between the current Piazza Firenze, via Caracciolo, via Arimondi,
via Bartolini and via Amari. The ensemble’s typology, pavilions type, was recurrent
in the later nineteenth century, recommended by the reference handbooks to several
large urban facilities (barracks but also hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, markets,
expo, etc.). The project aims to answer to several current urban and social emergencies and requirements. In detail, there are provided: structures for the reduction of the
prison overcrowding, by means of a housing unit for the semi-detention treatments
placed in a new construction toward via Bartolini; some studios and workspaces for
training and apprenticeship, obtained reusing the stables and the riding-school building near to via Arimondi; also, public housing and accommodations for students,
immigrants, elderly and vulnerable population obtained recovering a large part of
the building in via Caracciolo. In the central part of lot, there will be a new compound building, that has an out-of-alignment position against the original complex.
This will host an auditorium and other cultural and associative spaces, as well as
sports equipment and a public swimming, with adjoining cabins and utilities; while
on the short side toward via Amari, a linear building hosts a cafeteria, a library and
study rooms (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 Axonometric view from northeast of the Montello barraks to prison decongestion structures,
public houses and collective services. Design group: E. Bordogna, G. Canella, E. Manganaro with:
T. Brighenti, F. Costantino, L. Locatelli and students of the Scuola di Architettura Civile