Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Contextual Study of Multi-Layered Industrial Archaeology Sites: The Case of the Tabarca Building in Genoa

The regeneration of abandoned industrial warehouses within modern urban landscapes is of considerable scientific interest. These structures document the productive history of cities and the architectural and technological innovation. The Tabarca Building in Genoa is a prime example of industrial archaeological significance, embodying the commercial heritage of an area within the historic urban fabric. In particular, it was the first site in Italy to use refrigeration technology to preserve goods. The introduction of cold storage was a revolutionary development at the beginning of the 20th century that transformed world trade and led to the creation of newbuilding typologies.Despite its historical importance, the potential of the Tabarca building remains underestimated today. Its conservation requires a multifaceted approach that addresses different aspects of the building, i.e., archaeological, functional, stratigraphic, conservation and geometric considerations. An interdisciplinary strategy, including a broad overview and a detailed focus on the individual building, is essential to delineate its temporal evolution. This paper aims to reconstruct the historical and technical context of the Tabarca building and its surroundings through a multidisciplinary lens. Here, the authors integrate the analysis of the current state of the building with its historical, typological, and urban features. The initial results presented lay the groundwork for future rehabilitation and valorisation efforts for similar structures, demonstrating the need for an integrated approach to understanding and preserving industrial heritage in contemporary urban environments.The regeneration of abandoned industrial warehouses within modern urban landscapes is of considerable scientific interest. These structures document the productive history of cities and the architectural and technological innovation. The Tabarca Building in Genoa is a prime example of industrial archaeological significance, embodying the commercial heritage of an area within the historic urban fabric. In particular, it was the first site in Italy to use refrigeration technology to preserve goods. The introduction of cold storage was a revolutionary development at the beginning of the 20th century that transformed world trade and led to the creation of newbuilding typologies.Despite its historical importance, the potential of the Tabarca building remains underestimated today. Its conservation requires a multifaceted approach that addresses different aspects of the building, i.e., archaeological, functional, stratigraphic, conservation and geometric considerations. An interdisciplinary strategy, including a broad overview and a detailed focus on the individual building, is essential to delineate its temporal evolution. This paper aims to reconstruct the historical and technical context of the Tabarca building and its surroundings through a multidisciplinary lens. Here, the authors integrate the analysis of the current state of the building with its historical, typological, and urban features. The initial results presented lay the groundwork for future rehabilitation and valorisation efforts for similar structures, demonstrating the need for an integrated approach to understanding and preserving industrial heritage in contemporary urban environments.