Keep the roof visible
The roof and column order remain the main spatial memory, while public, educational, commercial, and cultural programs occupy the existing frame.
Work
Palazzo del Lavoro
Master's thesis in Turin proposing a mixed-use interior city beneath Nervi's roof, supported by heritage research, HBIM, stakeholder mapping, and a focused retrofit strategy.
Stage
A city under one roof.
The proposal reuses Palazzo del Lavoro as an interior city, bringing museum, shopping, university, co-working, innovation, food, and event spaces beneath Nervi's existing roof.
Open the edges
New entrances, raised walks, bike access, event edges, and park-facing outdoor rooms connect the building more directly to the Italia 61 landscape.
Insert new layers
Slabs, terraces, pop-out volumes, and sectional links distinguish the new programs without competing with the original roof.
Retrofit without erasing
Roof work, a double-skin facade strategy, lightweight assemblies, radiant floors, and HVAC systems improve use and comfort while keeping the existing identity legible.
Backstage
How I built the proposal.
I began with the existing building, mapped its actors and values, tested several program scenarios, and then worked the chosen direction through urban, spatial, and technical constraints.
I read the building first
I used HBIM, site observation, value assessment, and a physical model to understand the roof-column system, facade, interior void, and abandoned condition before adding a new program.
I mapped the competing needs
I connected stakeholders, heritage values, public access, economic anchors, universities, and cultural programs in one decision map instead of treating them as a checklist.
I tested several futures
I explored different program scenarios before settling on a layered interior city that could make the building useful again while keeping the roof present.
I designed the retrofit with it
I treated the envelope, roof layers, lightweight systems, HVAC routes, and material choices as part of the proposal rather than technical work added at the end.