Legoli

• Date: Luglio 2023.
• Typology: Competition Entry.
• Dimension: 1.500 m².
• Location: Legoli, Italy.

The Legoli territory presents itself as a complex system capable of generating stimulating and highly attractive architectural and landscape solutions. We therefore wanted to concentrate the proposal precisely from this solid starting point, thus creating a project for both areas capable on the one hand of attracting again the numerous visitors who populate the renowned Chianti hills every year and on the other hand also capable of hosting them, entertain them and intrigue them, giving this place a strong sense of identity and attraction. These places closely connected to the city context of Legoli must function as a catalyst. In fact, they are intended not as an appendix but each to be used as a starting point for different functions and part of the general system. They are thought of as real gears a macro system that must function as a whole and not just by components. The route runs from south to north and as a starting point the element is inserted which, thanks to its connotation, aims to amaze and excite: The green triangle, where an expanse of flowers from nemophilia to hydrangea is planted so that during all the seasons you can go through this immersive path which starts from the amphitheater and reaches the oratory of Santa Caterina. Here through a series of illuminated obelisks and signs you are guided through all the main attractions of Legoli. Each of these points is then illuminated, leading the mind of those who observe them to the constellations of the place. The church of Saints Giusto and Bartolomeo is used as a meeting area and spaces are created inside for art exhibitions. In its surrounding areas there are spaces for exhibitions and festivals. Palazzo Baldinotti, on the other hand, is seen as a possible place to host residencies for artists. The visitor will then cross the village as if intrigued by a natural mountain path until arriving at the central square of the Susinno palace, the new catalyst pole of the Legoli Centre.

The central position with respect to the town places it at the center of the revitalization, the true spark of the process. To stimulate social cohesion and urban quality, the project proposes to reconnect the relationship between the “two squares”. By eliminating the wall that divides them and creating a single square capable of generating territorial cohesion and synergies. This place donated to the village is a shared public space and dedicated to encouraging the development and strengthening of the local community and to hosting the numerous tourists who are expected to repopulate these areas. Numerous outdoor seats, a bar and a restaurant are thus added. The flooring, which is expected to be unique for the entire square, helps you to feel surrounded by a comfortable environment so that you immediately feel at ease. The Susinno palace, the true protagonist of this intervention, is completely consolidated and restored in order to enhance without altering its intrinsic architectural quality typical of the place. An extremely light and almost invisible metal structure is placed next to the main building, moving its façade. This horizontal connection location allows the building to be used for compartments.

In this way, both internal and external accessibility is guaranteed to all the functions located inside, allowing total flexibility of both distribution and spaces and thus introducing a new way of using the building. The curved profile follows the natural profile of the paths of the Carfalo Torrent valley, creating a tortuous but open place that is articulated through a series of vertical objects, sometimes pillars, sometimes trees
empirically strengthening the transition between natural and artificial. In fact, this space is used as a filter between nature and architecture by inserting a new area between the two, presenting elements of both one and the other to be able to feel inside a forest just before
to enter the building. The different heights and the vertical practicability allowed by three external stairs allow a progressive approach into the greenery until you feel immersed in the foliage of the trees. This
device is used to bring vegetation into the project area and ensure that it is united by an indissoluble bond to the project.
The palace is structurally consolidated thanks to the union with the galleries that embrace it and is firmly tied through the use of chains that run through the internal rooms. The openings are widened to allow more light to enter but indirectly, in fact the metal structure also serves as a sunshade in the summer months as the main facade faces south. Each opening is also surrounded with plastered iron profiles, useful for structural stiffening as well as the complete renovation of the roof not only allowing for the complete restoration of the original features but also the creation of a structural stiffening curb on the perimeter of the entire building.

A mix of functions closely connected to each other are inserted inside the building, starting from a more public and artisanal reality on the ground floor up to a more private one on the upper floor.
high. Various craft functions are thus included such as an oil mill, ceramic workshops and sales, a cellar and wine sales, up to an office and rooms for overnight stays that can be used with the latest “auto check-in” technologies. The last point that characterizes the intervention site is the connection between the buildings, thus creating an apparatus that functions as a whole and no longer as two separate elements: a path that it passes through all the buildings as well as the path that starts from the amphitheater through Legoli. All spaces and places are thus shown and opened to the public so that they can once again experience these places so full of value and history.