This time it won’t be a donated and reinterpreted dress that will be reborn. In September a new beginning will be celebrated for the former Giardini Margherita power plant. The completion of the works entrusted to the MCA architecture studio by Re-Use With Love, the voluntary organization protagonist of this urban regeneration undertaking, is expected by the end of the summer. Signed by Mario Cucinella, the project was transformed into an executive one by the architect Emanuele Dionigi and designed to host the creative and cultural hub of the association.
The announcement
«Ten years ago the need for a different space to grow became clear, and both the culture councilor of the time Matteo Lepore and the mayor of the time Virginio Merola they suggested that we participate in a tender for the assignment of a municipal property to be regenerated and managed autonomously” recalls president Veronica Veronesi. The tender was won and, once the works were finished, the former power station will become «a space to activate collaborations with all those who, like us, support an idea of a participatory, convivial and supportive city» says Leopolda Sassoli, vice-president of Re -Use With Love.
The renderings
We are thinking of a multifunctional space, with various cultural, recreational and promotional activities within it, possibly open from morning to evening, with areas where you can also study and meet, in a profitable exchange between different generations. And for now there is no provision, at least initially, for a supply or catering activity within it.
«Conceived in the 1930s, it almost refers to a religious building» points out architect Dionigi which also took over the management of the restoration work on the power station, entrusted to the Altoponte company. And in fact, those that can be seen from the renderings resemble large naves, well lit by the light that will enter with the new structure. All the grilles that once served for acoustic masking will open. And the portholes on the back will be enhanced. The height will be exploited with a new deck level joined to the one below via an internal steel staircase. Externally, a large wooden platform aims to become a new hub of sociality within the park; a paved pedestrian path will then connect the building to the pavement of Viale Stenio Polischi, inside the Gardens.
The work of urban regeneration
Having been disused for 30 years now, the former power plant will retain “memory of its industrial past but will regenerate new memories in the people of Bologna – concludes the architect – it will be a translation of tradition”. For this urban regeneration work, 410 thousand euros were raised out of the 500 thousand needed. Crowdfunding continues on the ideaginger.it platform and the Re-Use spring vintage market returns on 10, 11 and 12 May in the Giardino del Baraccano with clothes and accessories, toys, books and objects, in addition to Re-Use Lab products. The applause is unanimous. «We are talking about an important recovery in an important area of the city» points out the president of Ascom Enrico Postacchini. «It will become a meeting point for the city» adds director Giancarlo Tonelli. «They were visionaries» says Erika Capasso, mayor Lepore’s delegate, referring to that group of friends who in 2010 set out to collect used clothes to give them new life. Now there are over 150 volunteers. And the association will have a new home in September.
