The Villa:
The state of preservation
A first, hands-on examination shows that
the architectural complex, as a whole, has
been kept in good repair, with constant and
periodic maintenance work and upkeep. All
of the projects undertaken and completed in
recent years (renovations of systems, roofs,
and structural improvements) helped to
e n s u re constant use of the building, limiting
deterioration due to neglect and reducing
the spread of damage.
Required intervention
We can put off pre s e rvation projects to a second phase, in keeping with available funding; it would be advisable to devote existing resources to the consolidation and stabilization of the sections of the building with structural problems, to the rebuilding of the heating plant on the ground floor,anda number of maintenance projects, as well
as a new elevator or other mechanical means of access.
At the same time, all the necessary will be done to restore the villa to a fully functional condition.
Preservation and reinforcement Work
Structural Problems: exploratory investigations will need to be performed in o rder to evaluate existing problems and thus adopt the most appropriate solutions. In general terms, work can be on the enclosure wall, with the construction of subfoundations and/or other types of consolidation, and with the installation of reinforcements in the wall structure itself.
For the portico, it is likely that consolidation of the extrados of the ceiling vaults will be required, with the removal of the flooring above it, as well as possible implementation of reinforcements between the pillars.
For the access stairway, after careful analysis, work will be done on the surrounding earth, with possible channeling of the run off water. Other structural reinforcement may become necessary.
Maintenance and Upkeep: generic upkeepto prevent deterioration of the plaster (falling plaster, blistering, visible cracking), the stone parapets (stabilization, stuccoing, pre-consolidation) and other decorative stone structures. It will also be necessary to build special structures to collect and channel away run off rain water, the likely
underlying cause of the structural issues described above.
Interventuins to restore functionality
The villa will become, of course, the fulcrum of all the activity in the complex, a cultural center, for exhibitions, conferences, and expositions, but also a place for leisure activities and dining for tourists visiting an area rich in historical, architectural, and view-shed attractions. And so the ground floor will be adapted for restaurant and museum spaces (creation of dining halls,kitchen facilities, store rooms, dressing rooms, employee and customer re s t rooms); the second story will be a place for visitors to linger and relax; the mansard area will be used for the custodian's residence and for storage of various material.
In order to ensure that the building can be used year- round, the current radiant-panel floor heating system, now present only on the ground floor, will have to be expanded. Considering its age and non-functionality, the existing floor will have to be removed (and completely recycled), the complete removal of the system beneath the floor, the
renovation of the under- flooring, the installation of new radiant panels, and the final replacement of the flooring which will be recycled. As an alternative, we might consider the installation of a new heating system, with external heating structures (a convection/ventilation system, and/or radiators).
If consideration of the use of the mansard areas is to be explored, it will become indispensable to create a new vertical access, such as a small elevator. Clearly, this will need to evaluated very carefully.
It would appear that a number of unvaulted rooms would be well suited. The methods, the materials, and the type of equipment will need to be determined, through careful study.
The Barchessa:
The state of preservation
From the visual examination performed during a thorough inspection, the entire building appears to be in sound condition.
Again, there is no major preservation work that is indispensable in the short term, because many of the rooms are currently in regular use. The ground floor of the large wine-tasting facility was moreover recently
renovated, with the installation of new appointments and finishings, and new technical systems.
The only room that demands restoration is the large hall on the second story, which is presently only roughly finished. There is, in fact, no finished plaster, no proper flooring, no heating systems, electrical systems, or
locking mechanisms.
Other renovation work will involve the exterior, specifically the villa's entryways and access points, the ticket office, and the restaurant.
Required intervention
In this building, aside from the renovationsto be done on the sections that will remain the property of the present owners, work will need to be done to restore to full usability the large hall on the second story, which will be equipped with new rest rooms.
This large room will probably become a multiple-use facility, for conferences, meetings, educational purposes, and so on. On the ground flo o r, the existing winetasting facility will continue to operate, in conjunction with the ticket office and bookshop.
Therefore, relatively limited renovations will be undertaken, with the installation of new restroom facilities, a new vertical link to the large hall on the second story, perhaps with a small elevator; and finishing work on the
large hall (flooring, plaster, locks, and systems) and ticket office and wine-tasting facility.
Access to the villa will take place via the wine-tasting facility and ticket office through a single door, both entrance and exit, then passing through the small outdoor garden, which serves as an antechamber to the main
portal. This solution re q u i res the construction of a few exterior structures, with the creation of a subtle
comportmentalization between the exterior garden and the main road (installation of low fences and/or low hedges).
Parking facilities
This second phase will involve a first and fairly delicate intervention, the construction of parking facilities serving the complex, both for cars and buses, to be located close to the main entrance.
The working hypothesis, for approval by the appropriate offices, is to make use of a surface area of approximately 1,000 square meters in the northwest corner of the brolo.
It is in any case in the owner's interest to preserve the green space and the surrounding countryside, and therefore non-invasive solutions will be employed, making use of the most neutral materials available, with the planting of the most appropriate varieties of trees.
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