Survey on Cultural Heritage Adaptive Reuse practice

Project description
Project Id 3309
Project Name Cavallerizza Reale, Italy
Description Cavallerizza Reale is an 18th century building located in central Torino, part of the emblematic group of buildings that comprise the UNESCO-listed Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. Originally used as stables, the building was temporarily used as a theatre location until 2013. During that period, the ownership was transferred from the Central Government of Italy to the Municipality of Torino, who decided to put the building up for auction in 2010, receiving no adequate offer. In May 2014, a group of local citizens decided to occupy the building with the purpose of re-opening the space to the public and stop the privatization process. The activist group, Assemblea Cavallerizza 14.45, has been managing the building ever since by organizing a variety of cultural, artistic and civic activities. Currently, the citizen group has made a proposal to institutionalise the management role that they have informally been doing based on the Common Goods regulation of the city of Torino.
Description of the economic, social and environmental impacts of the project The case of Cavallerizza Reale constitutes a unique example of civic commitment towards cultural heritage, as it is a heritage community (Assamblea Cavallerizza 14.45 group) that in view of the possibility of privatization and limited use of heritage, has taken bottom-up action to revitalize the building through innovative financing (crowdfunding). In case the proposal of the citizen group of signing an agreement with the Municipality (owner) regarding management of the site goes forward, it could also be a very relevant example of public-private partnership in the management of a UNESCO site that will serve the community needs.
Web links http://artivisive.cavallerizzareale.org/here_en.html
Country Italy
City size Intermediate cities (between 50.000-1 million people)
Characteristics of the cultural heritage building/site/landscapes
Construction period 3-Baroque-Neoclassical
Adaptive reuse period 2011-2015
State of conservation Medium conservation
Vacancy before Vacant
Vacancy after Temporarily used
Cultural significance Supranational Heritage (e.g. OUV UNESCO)|
Typologies Military|
Governance, management and financing
Ownership before Public
Ownership after Public
Management structure Other: In May 2014, a group of local citizens decided to occupy the building with the purpose of re-opening the space to the public and stop the privatization process. The activist group, Assemblea Cavallerizza 14.45, has been managing the building ever since by organizing a variety of cultural, artistic and civic activities. It has currently made a proposal to the Municipality of Torino to formalize an agreement under Common Goods regulation.|
Managing body Private non-profit|
Funding full answer Crowdfunding campaign|
Barriers and bottlenecks Economic – financial|Regulatory (e.g. heritage regulations / authorities)|
total investment < 100.000 €
Uses / functions
Residential no
Cohousing no
Hotel accommodation no
BnbHostel accommodation no
Commercial units yes
Wellness centres no
Restaurant no
Cafe no
Public library no
Gardens no
Education no
Museum exhibition yes
Research no
Cultural events yes
Theatre yes
Conferences yes
Social uses no
Community Hubs no
Incubator no
Cultural and Creative Industries hub no
Innovative startups hub no
Circular economy enterprises hub no
Coworking spaces no
Workshop spaces no
Living Lab no
Fab Lab no
Creative Hub no
Artist residencies no
Materials bank no
Repair Cafe no
Bike sharing place no
Sports facilities no
Other uses no