Nestled in the remote Alpine regions of Piedmont, Italy, Moncenisio, a small, historically rich hamlet with a population of less than 50, offers an alternative vision of bucolic living, away from major Italian centres of civilisation. A concerted effort at any redevelopment in such a commune would have to embody conscientious interventions, intrinsically connected to and drawing from its tight-knit community, while still being entirely respectful of its spirit and intended remoteness. In that vein, a recent redevelopment plan for the commune—the smallest in Turin—entailed the revival of two former military barracks, located just below the town’s centre. Once the headquarters of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Finance Police) on the borders of Italy and France, the smaller structure accommodates an artist residency along with a multipurpose community centre, while the larger one hosts cultural events and features an Alpine garden. Commissioned by Comune di Moncenisio (Municipality of Moncenisio), the new, hybrid form of Casermette di Moncenisio (Barracks of Moncenisio) is the result of the collaborative efforts of a team of professionals, including Antonio De Rossi, Laura Mascino and Matteo Tempestini from Torino-based institute Politecnico di Torino and Edoardo Schiari and Maicol Guiguet of Italian architecture and landscape design practice Coutan Architects. While preserving fragments of the town’s history and its architectural remnants, the adaptive reuse project also caters to the sociocultural needs of the community.

Functioning at almost 1,500 metres above sea level, the project’s formulation is inherently guided by geographical and hydrogeological constraints. “During the project’s development, the constraints imposed by the site’s layout—namely the proximity to the Cenischia stream and the resulting hydrogeological restrictions—posed a significant challenge, preventing the reuse of the larger barracks,” the architects tell STIR. Turning the limitation into an opportunity, the architects introduced suitable functions in the larger and smaller barracks, transforming them into active communal spaces.

While the restored larger barracks are left largely unaltered, utilised as a permeable, enveloped structure for communal gathering, the smaller barracks introduce new functions encased in two wooden volumes, enveloped by the remnants of the old structure. This unique blend, which retains the characteristics of the old while highlighting the new built mass, forms the collective identity of the adaptive reuse project. The adaptable and innovative design response to the site’s challenges centralises construction methods and sustainability, integrating economical hospitality design elements to attract visitors.

The existing outer shell of the smaller barracks stands in interesting juxtaposition with the two smaller timber volumes—the artist residency and the community space—to create a hybrid architectural language. The contrast between the materiality, methods of construction and the intrinsic visual identities of the old and the new volumes results in a spatial and temporal freeze, allowing 'memories' that are decades apart to exist simultaneously in the present. The openings are pivotal in connecting the wooden interiors with the stone shell and the surrounding natural landscape. While the doors are housed within the bounds of the inner periphery facing each other, the windows project outwards, piercing the masonry walls to frame the views akin to a painting. Thus, the interplay among landscape, the existing structure’s old shell, and the new community centre ensconced within it instils curiosity among the visitors, embodying the contradistinction of the historical Italian Alpine architecture and a contemporary foil.

“The refurbishment of the existing buildings follows two guiding principles: simplicity and minimalism. This is particularly important when working with limited budgets and existing structures that do not have high architectural value,” reveal the Italian architects in a conversation with STIR. The two newly built wooden volumes within the existing stone architecture are made from solid wood portals, covered with locally sourced larch wood from the nearby Susa Valley. The simple trilithic wood architecture acts as a high-performance building envelope and is resource efficient, while the integration of two biomass stoves and local sourcing of materials support the regional circular economy. Moreover, sustainable design elements such as the photovoltaic panels make the structures entirely self-sustaining.

Thoughtful, minimal integration of new forms, local materials and the hybrid architectural identity of Casermette di Moncenisio reinstate its affiliation with the Alpine territory. Off-grid operation and adaptable interiors are some of the most standout qualities a remotely located building could have, making it an essential infrastructure that could possibly assist the community in times of need. With their original function rendered obsolete, the barracks find a new purpose in serving the neighbourhood and contributing to regional footfall, making the historical structures relevant again.

Project Details

Name: Casermette di Moncenisio (Barracks of Moncenisio)
Location: Moncenisio, Italy
Architects: Politecnico di Torino and Coutan Architects
Client: Comune di Moncenisio (Municipality of Moncenisio)
Year of Completion: 2024