Carlo Ratti proposes innovative reuse for Scampia's Vela Celeste at Venice Architecture Biennale
During the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) collaborated with the Municipality of Naples to host a workshop focused on repurposing the Vela Celeste, the final 'sail' structure of the Vele di Scampia. Constructed between 1962 and 1975 by Franz Salvo for 6,500 inhabitants, the Vele have undergone partial demolitions from 1997 to 2025. A tragic walkway collapse in July 2024 resulted in two fatalities, leading to the cessation of their use as residences. The Restart Scampia initiative, initiated in 2019, seeks to convert the Vela Celeste into a cultural hub and plans to incorporate 433 energy-independent housing units, urban farming, a park, a market, and a nursery, drawing on research from the MIT Senseable City Lab.
Key facts
- Carlo Ratti Associati and the Municipality of Naples presented a participatory design workshop at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale.
- The project focuses on the innovative reuse of the Vela Celeste, the last remaining 'sail' building of the Vele di Scampia.
- The Vele were built between 1962 and 1975 in Secondigliano, north of Naples, designed by Franz Salvo.
- Partial demolitions occurred in 1997, 2000, 2003, 2020, and 2025.
- A walkway collapse in July 2024 killed two people, ending the Vele's use as social housing.
- The Restart Scampia initiative was launched in 2019 by the Municipality of Naples.
- The plan includes 433 new energy-self-sufficient housing units, urban agriculture, a park, a market, a nursery, and civic functions.
- Carlo Ratti founded the MIT Senseable City Lab in 2004.
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Ratti
- Franz Salvo
- Roberto Saviano
- Matteo Garrone
- Bruno Latour
- Manfredo Tafuri
- Mario Fiorentino
Institutions
- Carlo Ratti Associati
- Municipality of Naples
- MIT Senseable City Lab
- Biennale d'Architettura di Venezia
- Comune di Napoli
- Stalker
- ONG
- Artribune
- Amazon
Locations
- Scampia
- Secondigliano
- Naples
- Italy
- Rome
- Corviale
- Venice
- Casavatore