Ex Colombofili. Regenerate spaces to regenerate relationships

The concept for the regeneration of the Ex-Colombofili complex, a public building in the heart of Modena, is the result of a careful listening process involving local stakeholders from various spheres of Modena’s public life. The work of gathering and reworking perceptions, needs, and visions of the area surrounding the building took place in two main phases: a series of semi-structured qualitative interviews, which revealed the deep connection between the Ex-Colombofili and the Novi Sad Park, and a co-design workshop.

From the interviews, it became clear that the Ex-Colombofili and the park are connected not only by topographical proximity but, more importantly, by a long-shared historical memory, to the point where the complex is considered by all to be a unique and permeable ecosystem. Moreover, there was a clear perception that the Ex-Colombofili and Novi Sad have significant, yet currently untapped, potential for the entire city of Modena.

During the interviews, we also asked participants what a ‘generative space’ meant to them. Among the many responses, a common theme emerged: such a space should promote and foster the development of intimate and meaningful relationships. Additionally, the majority of stakeholders defined a ‘generative’ space as one where vulnerabilities are supported through inclusion, capable of connecting the city’s past and present, a place for free gathering, promoting change, and actively participated in from the grassroots level.

The second phase of the listening process involved local stakeholders in a co-design workshop, which allowed for a deep exploration of past events that shaped both the challenges and opportunities associated with the area. This collective reflection paved the way for the co-design of four future scenarios for the regeneration of the Ex-Colombofili, which form the core of the final concept.

Building on these four scenarios, we developed a concept for the functions of the new space, centered on relationships. The concept integrates the main features of each scenario and has allowed the architects at Diverserighestudio to design the physical spaces.

The idea of creating a permeable and non-pre-determined space, which can be co-built over time by the local communities, requires the initiation of an open process: events, situations, and rituals that engage the different local communities, facilitating dialogue and the hybridization of practices and languages.