For SAB, it was both a challenge and an honour to be involved in the repurposing of the controversial former Courthouse of Vicenza, located in the historic district of Santa Corona.
Through the enlightened vision of the responsible administration, this project aims to become a pivotal driver of cultural revitalisation for the entire neighbourhood. It serves as a bridge between Palladian architecture and the city's outskirts, drawing on the prestige and patronage of the historic Bertoliana Library, an instrumental and iconic cultural institution in the Vicenza province. As a pilot project of the new municipal policy, it seeks to restore and revitalise the historic Contrà Santa Corona, bringing to life an innovative and contemporary vision that blends urban regeneration with the recovery of post-war "architectural skeletons."
The building, which has been a subject of contention since its construction due to its perhaps overly stark contrast with the morphological and typological identity of the old quarter, will be transformed into a hub of cultural and community functions. The new library will not only serve as a place for preserving and consulting the extensive literary heritage of the historic Bertoliana but also as a space for social interaction, meetings, events, and local services. This transformation aims to reconnect the building with its neighbourhood, breathing life and urban energy back into the area by drawing from its own identity.
