Ex-Customs Barracks in Moncenisio Transformed into Artist Residency

On January 20, 2023, the first phase of a regeneration project was inaugurated in Moncenisio, near Turin, converting the former Guardia di Finanza barracks into an artist residency and community hub. The project, led by architect Edoardo Schiari in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and Design of the Polytechnic University of Turin, is funded by the Municipality of Moncenisio with support from GAL Escartons and Valli Valdesi. The new structures include a multipurpose hall for events, conferences, and performances, as well as two wooden buildings for artists' accommodation. The initiative emphasizes circular economy principles, using local raw materials and incorporating high-performance envelopes, biomass stoves, and photovoltaic panels for energy independence. A second phase will add a spa and a medical clinic. Mayor Mauro Carena stated that the barracks, once a divisive space, now become a cultural center, consolidating the village's sustainable tourism strategy. Antonio De Rossi, professor at the Polytechnic, highlighted the university's role in concrete regeneration across Alpine and Apennine communities. The project aims to serve as a model for similar mountain communities seeking sustainable development.