Refurbishment of Burgo Paper Factory

50s and 60s are the vital and critical period in history of modern Italy. The period named "Economic miracle". After World War II – in twenty years- till 1960s Italy improved rapidly from economical points of view. As a result, southern part of Italy which faced with impoverished, migrated to the north where there was ongoing economic growth. Christian Democracy party was still supported by rural areas, North East and South; whereas, North West of Italy was not due to the majority of working class who working in factories. In this specific age of time BURGO PAPER FACTORY was born. Burgo paper factory might be the symbol of rapid economic growth not only in small town in north east of Italy but also as a symbol of industrialization in whole Italy. Moreover, the work of well-known architect- Nervi – made this project on spot as an architectural point of view.
Theme:
Burgo paper factory of Mantua, a work of P.L. Nervi, 20th century heritage building, has functioned as a production plant until February 2013, when it was shut down because of the crisis of the paper industry. Since the University of Mantua is not meeting the need of students properly and the abandoned factory is not part of city anymore, our goal is to use this potential to create a connection with city through the landscape strategy design and functional changes –Architecture School– in order to bring back the life to the other side of lake. The design exercise aims to propose some possible strategies that would confirm the productive function for the bridge building and that would focus design hypothesis on it and its surrounding areas. Moreover, according to its unique landscape, there is possibility to offer landscape design due to its strong connection with the lake in Mantua. This scenario will allow to start a critical consideration on the relationship between the new and the heritage, on how operate in specific contexts, on shapes and characters of open and built space typology and distribution and on the relationship between this part of the city and the Lago di Mezzo.