Riuso compatibile ed ospitalità sanitaria: una proposta per villa Laudani (Ct)

The expectations of the reuse of architectural heritage are currently undergoing a profound change; in fact, the restored object plays a central role in promoting inspiring examples of rehabilitation and improvement of living conditions, even in its social aspects. The goal pursued is a full compatibility of the restoration work, which expresses itself not only in terms of space, materials and technology, but especially in a more functional term, looking for a reunification with the environmental context and with the original vocation of the object. This aim can be fulfilled by selecting new feasible functions that exploits the heritage and the values it had represented since its existence. A possible way to implement the afore-mentioned purposes relies on reusing historic buildings as healthcare-related facilities. This proposal not only allows to conserve and breathe new life into disused buildings, but it is also a valuable opportunity to assist disadvantaged people (sick patients, especially if they are minors, and their families) who are often forced to leave their homes and move in order to receive proper medical assistance. Furthermore, it is established that healthcare-related facilities strongly contribute to improve the quality of the service provided. Within this view, the Villa Laudani in Pedara (Catania) represents a relevant case study: an adaptive reuse project, that has been developed for this upper middle class abandoned villa, aims to convert it into a paediatric rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities