Photo Credit: Halles du Boulingrin, Reims © Antoine Mercusot pour Chatillon Architectes

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Brussels to Host Final Event Celebrating the Success of the REcube Project
Brussels, September 2024 — The REcube project, an ambitious Erasmus+ cooperation partnership in Higher Education, will mark its completion on September 6th with a milestone event at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) Faculty of Architecture. This event, the third and final in a series of multiplier events, will spotlight the remarkable achievements and far-reaching impact of the project, which has redefined the sustainable conservation and renovation of Modern European concrete architectural heritage.

A Journey of Collaboration and Innovation
Launched in 2022, the REcube project has been a beacon of transnational cooperation, bringing together 94 master’s students from 11 prestigious Architecture and Engineering schools across Europe. The REcube project, which will lasted 36 months, was conceived and implemented by a large scale European university partnership, led by the Politecnico di Milano with the Laboratorio Nervi on the Lecco Campus. Members of the partnership are: Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Hungary), Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), Hafencity University Hamburg (Germany), Middle East Technical University (Turkey), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Technical University of Madrid (Spain), University of Naples Federico II (Italy), Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), University of Minho (Portugal) and University of Rome La Sapienza (Italy).
Also participating: the Pier Luigi Nervi Project Foundation in Brussels, which for over 10 years has been engaged in the study and dissemination of the work by the great Italian designer and builder, as well as ICOMOS Italia, the Italian chapter of the UNESCO advisor non-governmental international organisation, whose mission is the conservation of the world’s monuments and sites.
United by a common vision, these future leaders have been equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to embrace a sustainable, integrated, and holistic approach to preserving our Modern Concrete Heritage.
The project’s overarching goals—to rethink, revive, and reuse—have inspired students to embark on a journey of innovation and sustainability. Over the past three years, they have worked on the green regeneration of three iconic buildings by the renowned concrete masterbuilder Pier Luigi Nervi: the Piscina Mincio in Milan, the Torino Esposizioni hall in Turin, and the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence. Their work represents a new mindset in modern heritage regeneration, one that emphasizes the urgent need for cultural transformation in the building sector—a shift further highlighted by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Celebrating Success: The Third Multiplier Event
To celebrate the successful conclusion of this transformative project, a one-day seminar titled “Building the European Identity: Concrete Architecture Between Legacy and Re-Invention” will be held at the ULB Faculty of Architecture. The event will delve into various aspects of the heritagization and conservation of modern and contemporary concrete architecture. Attendees will gain insights from expert presentations on European heritage policies, case studies, and cutting-edge research initiatives.
A highlight of the day will be the keynote lecture by François Chatillon, scheduled for 18:30. Titled “Concrete Cases,” this lecture will offer a deep dive into the practical applications of sustainable conservation in modern concrete architecture by one of its leading practitioners. Both the seminar and the keynote lecture are open to the general public, providing an invaluable opportunity for community engagement and learning.

A Lasting Legacy
As the REcube project draws to a close, it leaves behind a lasting legacy—a new generation of professionals dedicated to the sustainable development and preservation of Europe’s architectural heritage. The sustainability of the project will be guaranteed by the REcube MOOC available on the POLIMI Learning Platform and by the publication of the REcube Guidelines as a special fib bulletin, ensuring continued access to cutting-edge knowledge and practices.
This project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and education in shaping a greener, more resilient future for Europe’s built environment.

We’re thrilled to share the exciting developments from the third REgenerate Workshop, where 32 students from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, and Türkiye gathered at the Polo territoriale di Lecco – Politecnico di Milano.

The workshop, which lasted from July  12 to July 18, marked the final face-to-face session of the REcube Programme, and the students are on a transformative journey, diving deep into the world of structural and energy retrofitting for concrete structures.

 

A Focus on Sustainable Preservation

The students developed a focus on Sustainable Preservation building on their knowledge from the Frontier online workshop held in June, and are now taking on the complex challenge of assessing and analyzing a significant piece of concrete architecture: the Artemio Franchi Stadium by the renowned Pier Luigi Nervi in Florence.

This iconic structure is not only a marvel of design but also a historical asset that needs careful preservation and thoughtful repurposing, but is now in reality undergoing a very aggressive transformation by the Municipality of Florence.

 

Workshop Highlights

Throughout the workshop, students have been immersed in a rigorous scientific approach to the regeneration process. Their task is to evaluate the state of conservation of the stadium, identify compatible new functions, and ensure that the recovery process is both sustainable and respectful of the building’s cultural value.

This holistic approach to regeneration is crucial for preserving the integrity and functionality of historic structures like the Artemio Franchi Stadium.

 

Hands-On Learning

After a preparatory session in Lecco, the workshop kicked off with a one-day field trip to Florence, where students had the opportunity to experience the Artemio Franchi Stadium firsthand. This visit was followed by intensive work sessions at the Laboratorio Nervi on the POLIMI Campus in Lecco. Here, students engaged with a wealth of materials and data, working collaboratively on the preparatory tasks essential for launching a conservation and reuse project.

Over four days, they applied the knowledge gained from the Frontier Workshop, tackling real-world challenges and developing innovative solutions for the stadium’s future.

The culmination of this workshop will be the presentation of their project results in October, evaluated by the faculty after a two-month period dedicated to post-production and finalization.

 

Looking Ahead

The REgenerate Workshop is more than just an academic exercise—it’s a critical step towards shaping the future of concrete regeneration. By integrating sustainability, preservation, and innovation, our students are contributing to a brighter, more resilient future for our architectural heritage.

Stay tuned for updates on the students’ final projects and the continued evolution of the REcube Programme.!

We’re proud to see these young minds pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of concrete regeneration.

We’re thrilled to announce the start of the final year of the REcube Erasmus+ project! A cohort of 32 students from Italy, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, and Turkey have embarked on their REcube educational journey.

The journey began with the FRONTIER Workshop, held online from June 10-14 and hosted by the Universidade do Minho. Led by Professors Maria Isabel Brito Valente and Joaquim Barros, the workshop focused on innovative structural retrofitting techniques, blending theoretical knowledge and practical learning.

Key components included:

1. **Lectures**: Expert-led sessions covered advancements and principles in structural retrofitting, exposing students to cutting-edge materials and techniques.

2. **Case Studies**: Students analyzed the architectural heritage of Pier Luigi Nervi, examining real-world applications of retrofitting principles to preserve and enhance historical structures.

Students attended online sessions in the morning and afternoon, reconvening at 14:30 to prepare work and at 17:00 to provide feedback. Divided into five groups, they collaborated on the Artemio Franchi Stadium case study.

The students eagerly anticipate visiting Florence in July to see the Artemio Franchi Stadium during the REgenerate Workshop. The knowledge and skills acquired during the FRONTIER Workshop will be instrumental in their continued journey.

We look forward to their progress and achievements!

In 2023, the charming city of Veszprém, located on the shores of Lake Balaton in Hungary, will take center stage as the European Capital of Culture. This prestigious title grants Veszprém a unique opportunity to showcase its rich cultural heritage, artistic expression, and forward-looking innovations to a diverse audience from across Europe and beyond.

The REcube Partnership and the Intermediary Conference

As part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations, Veszprém will host an intermediary conference dedicated to the achievement and results of the REcube partnership. The Second Multiplier Event of the REcube initiative is a collaborative effort between renowned educational institutions, the Politecnico di Milano, and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). The conference aims to foster creativity, exchange ideas, and explore the cutting-edge advancements in architectural and engineering practices while disseminating the goals and results of the REcube project.

Historic Venue – Petőfi Theatre

The conference will take place at the iconic Petőfi Theatre, an architectural gem and a symbol of innovation. Built in 1908, the Petőfi Theatre was the first European theatre to be constructed with a reinforced concrete structure, showcasing the city’s early embrace of modern construction techniques. This historic venue, steeped in cultural significance, provides the perfect setting to discuss the evolution of architectural practices over the years.

Focus on Green Concrete Heritage Regeneration

The conference’s first part will delve into the architectural aspects of green concrete heritage regeneration, celebrating the sustainable revitalization of historical structures. The second part will shift the spotlight to engineering aspects, showcasing innovative approaches to preserving and rehabilitating concrete heritage using environmentally friendly techniques. Read the full programme here.

A Global Audience

Thanks to modern technology, the REcube intermediary conference will reach a global audience. The entire event will be streamed live, providing an opportunity for architecture enthusiasts, students, professionals, and cultural aficionados worldwide to participate in the discussions and witness the exchange of ideas. The link for virtual participation is available here.

The European Capital of Culture 2023 in Veszprém promises to be an exceptional event, celebrating the city’s cultural richness, architectural heritage, and commitment to sustainable innovations. The REcube intermediary conference at the Petőfi Theatre is a testament to the city’s dedication to nurturing creativity, preserving historical landmarks, and contributing to the advancement of architectural and engineering practices in Europe and beyond.

The students participating in the 2023 REgenerate Workshop engaged in an exciting exercise that explores a pioneering work in reinforced concrete, futuristic Torino Esposizioni Pavilion designed by the visionary architect Pier Luigi Nervi in 1950. This exercise allows attendees to appreciate how architectural advancements of the past can creatively be brought back to life in our contemporary context.

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As every year, the Recube 2023 project continued to focus on the restoration and transformation of important architectural landmarks. This time the spotlight was on the Torino Esposizioni exhibition halls in Turin, a masterpiece designed by Pier Luigi Nervi , which has been in disrepair for years.

This year’s REcube learning, teaching and training activities were structured, as usual, in an online FRONTIER WORKSHOP ON CUTTING-EDGE TOPICS and a REGENERATE WORKSHOP in-presence at the Politecnico di Milano campus in Lecco.

 The 2023 Frontier Workshop on “HBIM and Diagnostics of Existing Reinforced Concrete Structures” was organised by METU University and featured a rich workshop programme (find it here). The participants, 33 students from various REcube partner universities, attended a series of morning lectures that set the stage for their collaborative efforts in the afternoon in preparation for the upcoming REgenerate Workshop.

 Once in Lecco, at the POLIMI campus, the six-day experience of the REgenerate Workshop unfolded with great participation (read the full programme of the workshop here). The students had the unique opportunity to explore the grandeur of the Torino Esposizioni complex in Turin during an enlightening site visit. The workshop then immersed them in a series of engaging lectures delivered by the participating teachers, enriching their knowledge in various aspects of the field.

 However, it was the intense group work that truly exemplified the spirit of the REgenerate workshop. Guided by their passion for architecture and engineering, as well as a deep sense of responsibility for the preservation of history, the students worked enthusiastically together, brainstorming and developing innovative proposals for the restoration and revitalisation of Hall C within the Torino Esposizioni structure.

 As the workshop drew to a close, the organisers applauded the students for their commitment and enthusiasm. They await the students’ final online presentations, scheduled for the autumn, where they will showcase their group proposals and give some inspiration for the future of architectural restoration and adaptive reuse of the Torino Esposizioni complex.

On the 5th of October we had an intense afternoon of knowledge-sharing and group work with the final presentations by the students who participated in the REgenerate workshop 2022. The 5 proposals for the regeneration of the Mincio swimming pool by Pier Luigi Nervi in Milan were backed up by great fieldwork and rich in creative solutions, showing a passionate involvement and commitment of all the participants in the REcube project.

Well done to all of you!

The 8th of September 2022, the second Transnational Project Meeting of the REcube Partnership took place in Rome on the premises of the Sapienza Faculty of Architecture. The Recube partners  had a fruitful exchange on the first year of project activities and set the basis for the ensuing work, which foresees the completion of the REcube MOOC and the outline of the REcube Guidelines. The end of the first year’s REcube didactical activities will be set by the evaluation of the REgenerate Workshop group work results at the beginning of October.

It has been a very intense week in Rome, where the REcube partnership had the pleasure to contribute to the 14th fib PhD symposium. On Friday the 2nd of September Francesco Romeo, of Università Sapienza-Roma, presented the conservation plan of the Flaminio Stadium, part of the Keeping it Modern grantees 2017, to the participants of the fib Model Code 2020 Workshop. This was followed by a tour on Saturday the 3rd of September of the Olympic architectures by Pier Luigi Nervi, while the REcube project was illustrated to the international audience of the Symposium on September 7th. REcube Project-leader Marco di Prisco, of Politecnico di Milano, presented the scope and expected outcomes of the REcube programme in a keynote lecture in the morning. In the afternoon,  Rosario Ceravolo, Erica Lenticchia and Gaetano Miraglia, from Politecnico di Torino, gave an engaging presentation of the first results of the Torino Esposizioni Keeping It Modern project finalised to the preparation of a conservation plan for this iconic building by Pier Luigi Nervi, which will be the object of study for the students participating in the next the REgenerate workshop in 2023.

Starting from the 15^th of July, it has been 6 exciting days at the first REgenerate workshop within the framework of the REcube: REthink, REvive, REuse project. 28 students coming from 11 project partner universities joined us at the beautiful premises of the Politecnico di Milano Lecco Campus on the shores of the Como Lake to work on the challenging topic of the sustainable recovery and regeneration of our Modern Concrete Heritage. Thank you to all the teachers and students who participated in this enriching experience, it is a privilege to meet and cooperate thanks to the Erasmus Plus programme!

To implement learning activities in a greener way and sustain an eco-friendly approach as requested by this Erasmus+ call, the first Frontier Workshop on cutting-edge topics was hosted virtually on Teams platform by TUDelft from June 27 to July 1, 2022. The REcube Frontier Workshop is an online intensive course on cutting edge topics about pathologies and physics of reinforced concrete structures. The course introduced the selected students to the scientific advances achieved studying concrete in the context of architectural heritage, structural morphology and material with topics such as recurrent pathologies in reinforced concrete buildings, concrete chemistry, and building physics. Students attended lectures during the mornings and worked on an assignment tailored on the building of the subsequent REgenerate workshop in the afternoons. Five inhomogeneous groups were created both in terms of background and sending organization, and the same groups will be maintained in the subsequent in-person REgenerate Workshop.