renzo piano is in discussions with italian prime minister matteo renzi to help reconstruction efforts in the wake of the country’s recent earthquake. amatrice, and two other mountain towns located north-east of rome, were devastated by the 6.2-magnitude disaster, which claimed the lives of some 290 people. with as many as 2,500 citizens still without homes, plans are being drawn up to ensure that shelter is provided before the region’s harsh winter.

 

italy’s corriere della sera says that chalet-style huts will be used to house people displaced by the earthquake. the structures were previously used in the italian town of onna, which was severely damaged during the 2009 l’aquila earthquake. the newspaper reports that the units would cost €1,400 per square meter ($1,560 USD), and would arrive on site within three months. following relocation to these timber huts, reconstruction work on the town can begin.

 

‘we have to act quickly, with the utmost urgency,’ renzo piano told the guardian. ‘anti-seismic requirements must be inserted in the laws of the country to make our homes safe, just as it’s compulsory for a car to have brakes that work.’ renzo piano has a long history of restoring and rebuilding historical sites, including the city of la valleta in malta, and the center of genoa — his home city. piano previously served as UNESCO goodwill ambassador from 2005 to 2014.

 

image by gianluca fortunato / italian red cross

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