Post by Pablo Erazo

How do we reactivate a concrete giant isolated in the landscape? Intervening in peripheral brutalist architecture demands a vision that transcends the boundaries of the building itself. It is not just about restoring walls; it is about reconnecting infrastructure with the territory. I am pleased to share the outcomes of the first stage (Territorial Analysis and Urban Connectivity) for the adaptive reuse project of the Marxer Brutalist Complex, a masterpiece designed by Alberto Galardi in 1962 in Loranzè (outskirts of Ivrea, UNESCO Industrial City, Italy). Under the proposal "Ivrea–Marxer Heritage & Landscape Hub", developed within the framework of the ARURCOHE Master's program, the strategic approach aims to transform this complex into a phased cultural-productive and hospitality campus. The goal is to establish a physical and conceptual bridge between Olivetti’s modern Ivrea (MAAM - Museo a Cielo Aperto) and the rural-alpine landscape of the Canavese region. For Plate 1, I implemented a methodology based on territorial and mobility data processing using QGIS / OpenStreetMap, followed by advanced vector post-production in Adobe Illustrator to achieve a clean, editorial layout tailored for architecture biennials: Map 1 (Macro-scale): A territorial analysis of the Canavese region in olive-green tones, examining topography, infrastructure, and the Dora Baltea River. This map defines our proposed "Cultural Mobility Spine", articulated through an electric shuttle network and trekking/cycling paths linking Olivetti’s heritage directly to the complex. Map 2 (Local scale 1:5,000): A hybrid diagnostic study laid over a desaturated satellite base. This map identifies immediate pedestrian flows, bus stops, and the urban fabric of Loranzè, tracing the exact thematic itinerary that will connect public transit with the main access points of the brutalist building. The Next Step: With the territory mapped and connectivity resolved, the research moves toward the Master Plan and technological detail design. To achieve this, we are already working on developing the building's Digital Twin utilizing point cloud processing (Scan-to-BIM) in Revit. Contemporary conservation does not freeze time; it reactivates regional dynamics. #AdaptiveReuse #BrutalistArchitecture #UrbanPlanning #QGIS #IvreaUNESCO #HeritageConservation #ArchitecturalVisualization #BIM #Canavese #AlbertoGalardi #UrbanMobility #ARURCOHE