INTEGRATED
ENGINEERING
AND ARCHITECTURE

The project dealt with the restoration and revitalisation the renowned Rocca Sforzesca in Imola, in the province of Bologna. This fortified monumental structure, a symbol of the Sforza family's power, has been an integral part of the region since the 13th century. Originally serving as a residence, military headquarters, and prison, it now stands as a museum and cultural site. The planned intervention constitutes a crucial strategic enhancement for the Rocca, enhancing its role within the socio-cultural network as the new cultural hub of the region. The reconfiguration includes regulatory adjustments to eliminate architectural barriers and enhance accessibility, ensuring full utilisation of the Rocca and its museum itineraries. Flow patterns have been reorganised and improved, facilitating access for disabled people up to the patrol level via a new elevator shaft, ramps, and newly integrated parapets that seamlessly blend with the site's aesthetic and morphological language. These enhancements ensure a safe and comprehensive 360-degree visitor experience of the Fortress. A restaurant and a ticket office were installed inside a loggia on the ground floor, now effectively isolated by new state-of-the-art windows with high energy efficiency. To fully enhance the site, internal finishes and historic floors, along with internal courtyards, were restored. This also included utilising the green spaces as a scenic venue for events and shows. Additionally, a dressing room was established in the northeast tower to support these activities.