Architectural heritage at risk: the case of the Magnano hamlet (Piedmont, Italy)

The architecture is the result of the men's work, whose actions do not end with its construction, but are inevitably destined to follow one another over time, responding to the various natural and/or anthropic solicitations to which it is subjected. The progressive change in social and economic needs, together with the lack of recognition of the value of the inherited architectural heritage, causes an increasing pressure both on individual historic buildings and on ancient sites. Considered as obsolete and incapable of responding to current performance and functional requirements, the architectural heritage is often abandoned or subjected to radical transformations, causing the irremediable loss of valuable cultural resources. The examination of the current state of conservation of the Magnano hamlet is interesting for the purposes of "Risk in architectural heritage". It is a defensive settlement built at the beginning of the XIIIth century and characterized by the presence of building cells lying on the crest of a hill and surrounded by walls. Some of these cells are today totally abandoned and, therefore, affected by decay phenomena due to the aggressive action exerted by environmental agents; others have undergone interventions that, although aimed at allowing their possible re-use, have led to the partial or total loss of the identity features of this heritage. This paper intends to focus on the analysis of the interventions carried out, examining the methodologies adopted and some critical issues in the belief that only by searching for compatible solutions in terms of materials, structures and functionality, it is possible to become promoters of an effective conservation of the architectural heritage.

The architecture is the result of the men's work, whose actions do not end with its construction, but are inevitably destined to follow one another over time, responding to the various solicitations of natural and/or anthropic origin to which it is subjected. The progressive change in social and economic needs, together with the lack of recognition of the value of the architectural heritage received as inheritance, causes an increasing pressure both on individual historic buildings and on ancient centres. Considered as obsolete and incapable of responding to current performance and functional requirements, the architectural heritage is often abandoned or subjected to radical transformations, causing the irremediable loss of valuable cultural resources. Interesting for the purposes of the discussion is the examination of the current state of conservation of the Magnano hamlet, a defensive settlement built at the beginning of the XIIIth century and characterized by the presence of building cells lying on the crest of a hill and surrounded by walls. Some of these cells are today totally abandoned and, therefore, affected by decay phenomena due to the aggressive action exerted by environmental agents; others have undergone interventions that, although aimed at allowing their possible re-use, have led to the partial or total loss of the identity features of this heritage. This paper intends to focus on the analysis of the interventions that have been carried out, examining the methodologies adopted and some critical issues in the belief that only by searching for compatible solutions in terms of materials, structures and functionality, it is possible to become promoters of an effective conservation of the architectural heritage.