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.