Abitare gli spazi della conoscenza. La fabbrica classense

Living spaces of the ancient knowledge, means creating a physical bridge between past and future, that reveal itself in the regeneration of the historical architecture as a place of living documentary evidence, usable according to the needs of the contemporary community. As a result of the latest restoration works, supported by the local administration, Classense Library of Ravenna is the perfect example of these concepts. Works with a strong sustainable value for a social and environmental role, because they allow to recognizing this building, the monumental and cultural reference point of the city, which reflects the community identity and rediscovers, living spaces, a high level of perceptive and psychophysical comfort. The Classense library was constituted in 1515 by the arrival in Ravenna of the Camaldolesi monks at the monastery and church of St. Nicholas and the Mercy of St. Bartholomew hospital, which were restored, extended and modified until 1798. Within the complex, that occupies a block of about 10.000 sqm, the works touch the area of the 16th century minor court that through time has undergone considerable changes hosting multiple functions, from the hospital to the convent and then school of Fine Arts. Interventions of restoration and refurbishing, started in the public library in 2001, will be related to the detailed documentary studies that will allow to choose how to preserve and enhance the testimonies of the historical evolution of the building, even through the conservation of matter and traces and the removal of incongruous additions. The building will be made safe, both under a static profile and for accessibility, according to the current regulations, and for the suitable arrangement of the plant system to the new features. Simultaneously to a study of functional reuse of the spaces and therefore the new entry flows and horizontal and vertical path in the rooms. The restoration faces the contemporary choices using steel, wood, glass and brick for the new additions. The interior forniture in metal and wood were designed ad hoc, for storing books and to allow the passage of the technological components and lighting, necessary for the use of the spaces, in order to preserve the historical existing. The project of new geodetic false ceiling enhances the precious frescoes discovered by stratigraphictest.