On 1 March 2023, the HeritACT project (Heritage Activation Through Engaging Experiences Towards Sustainable Development) was launched. Funded by the European Commission as part of the Horizon Europe programme, the project involves Stefano Boeri Architetti’s Research Department in developing an innovative framework for co-producing highly innovative public space installations, as well as a roadmap for implementing the pilot project.

HeritACT introduces innovative and inclusive architectural and design solutions, as well as artistic and cultural practices that support environmental and cultural sustainability, and strengthen cultural industries by raising community awareness and informing policy-making in urban areas across Europe of various sizes and cultural backgrounds.

Within the broader framework of the New European Bauhaus, 15 partners from five European countries will collaborate for three years. The aim is to integrate nine solutions and seven digital tools that promote inclusive and sustainable historical and cultural heritage in three pilot cities in Europe: Milan (Italy), Ballina (Ireland) and Elefsina (Greece).

The pilot project in Milan aims to develop initiatives for the restoration and revitalisation of public spaces in the Cascine through the introduction of nature-based and digital solutions. The project will focus particularly on Cascina Sant’Ambrogio (CasciNet) and Cascina Linterno.

The proposal for Cascina Linterno, developed by Stefano Boeri Architetti in collaboration with the Department of Architecture at the University of Patras and based on participatory and co-design processes with the farm’s stakeholders, involves the construction of a multifunctional pergola. This structure, known as the ‘Green Tensegrity’, is designed to provide shade and a safe space for educational and recreational activities. It is designed to be independent and temporary, blending harmoniously with the vegetation and landscape of the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano through careful selection of plant species.

The project also has a significant environmental impact. It creates favourable habitats for bees, small mammals, birds and insects by restoring degraded soil and creating flowerbeds that are inspired by the natural shapes of the surrounding landscape.

Culturally and socially, the project promotes the thousand-year-old tradition of beekeeping with the support of Apicoltura Veca, offering an educational and symbolic opportunity to reflect on the relationship between humans and nature. The planned activities enable children and young people to learn about sustainability and biodiversity, and integrate with the existing initiatives at Cascina Linterno, breathing new life into an otherwise marginalised area.

A key feature of the project is the direct involvement of Apicoltura Veca, the farm manager, and the local community, who have played an active role in designing the space by sharing their skills and experiences. This participatory approach strengthens the sense of belonging and encourages collaboration, renewing the connection to Cascina Linterno, the Parco delle Cave and the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano.

The project involves: University of the Aegean, THINGS, Municipality of Elefsina, Stefano Boeri Architetti, MENTOR in Culture, Mayo County Council, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, European Network of Cultural Centres, Comune di Milano, ACT – Accelerating Change Together, 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, University College Dublin, University of Patras, Ideas for Change, LAND.

For all updates and further information: https://www.heritact.eu/