archiplanstudio has restored bondanello chiavicone, the oldest hydraulic building in the province of mantua, northern italy, constructed in the 16th century, and transformed it into an ecomuseum with educational laboratories. along with the renovation of the existing structure, the architects have constructed a new volume in corten steel and polycarbonate walls, creating a dynamic façade that combines historical features with contemporary interventions.archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseumall images courtesy of archiplanstudio

 

 

archiplanstudio began with the restoration of chiavicone bondanello in 2009, transforming the 16th-century building according to its 1900 and 1960 renovations – with the latest occurring after the partial collapse of the structure due to a river overflow. following the restoration, the italian studio has added a new corten steel structure to replace the volume that was destroyed, inside which there is a multi-functional space that encloses the environmental center of the secchia river park.

archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum

 

 

the coexistence of the historical building with the contemporary intervention results in a dynamic façade that changes from every angle, and encloses the new ecomuseum delle bonifiche. the walls of the new volume are constructed in translucent polycarbonate, which emits light during nighttime, similar to a lamp, emphasizing the social function of the building and transforming it into a landmark for the area.archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseumarchiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum

archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum

archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum

archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum archiplanstudio adds corten steel volume to 16th-century building for italian ecomuseum

 

 

project info:

 

 

name: delle bonifiche eco-museum

architect: archiplanstudio

location: bondanello, mantua, italy