Demolition and construction of a new residential building and development of outdoor areas with swimming pool - 2024/2025 - under construction (historic center of Bordighera-IM

TYPE: SEMI-DETACHED RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

LOCATION: MUNICIPALITY OF BORDIGHERA (IM) - VIA GARNIER (HISTORICAL CENTER)

CLIENT: PRIVATE YEAR: 2024/2025

VOLUME: 1,500.00 MC

1. Context and current status The building being renovated, built around the 1930s, is located adjacent to the historic center of Bordighera, within a row of medium-sized and large buildings overlooking the sea. The property is partially ruined due to bombing during World War II and natural deterioration over time, as evidenced by the attached photographs. The collapsed masonry is still present on site and easily identifiable as pre-existing. The property's central location and environmental value make its environmental and urban redevelopment essential. The building is part of a particularly valuable landscape, near Villa Garnier and an ancient palm grove that characterizes the area. 2. Reasons for the Project Renovation of the existing building is impractical due to the existing structural typology, both for safety reasons (seismic retrofitting) and due to its state of disrepair. Therefore, the project involves the complete demolition and reconstruction of the building, increasing its volume, while respecting the height, type, and volumetric dimensions of the surrounding buildings, in compliance with the "Piano Casa" (Housing Plan) regulations. The project allows for the recovery of a space currently perceived as a "gap to be filled," without negatively altering the urban landscape: the new building is, in fact, mitigated by the existing vegetation, such as the groups of palm trees, and fits harmoniously into the row of buildings on Via Charles Garnier. 3. Project Description The new building will consist of four floors above ground, with an insulated flat roof, a ribbed board finish, copper gutters and downspouts, and Cardoso stone decks/roofs. Two residential units will be constructed, arranged on four levels and divided vertically. To reduce the volumetric impact, the building will be differentiated by color, creating two distinct volumes that are perceptibly distinct yet consistent with the existing facade. 3.1 Materials and Finishes Load-bearing structure: reinforced concrete. Perimeter walls: air chamber with interposed insulation. Internal partitions: 8 cm perforated or double perforated with insulation for the partitions between units. Internal plaster: lime, fine trowel, washable paint. Internal floors: porcelain stoneware, travertine, or wood. Wall coverings: ceramic. Interior doors: lacquered wood. Exterior fixtures: aluminum or wood (shutters/windows). Balustrades and parapets: painted galvanized metal, simple design. Facades: painted in local Ligurian colors. 3.2 Outdoor spaces Paving: stone or stone-effect porcelain stoneware for paths and driveways. Fencing: single-bar metal gate on a small curb made of local stone (40–50 cm high), maximum overall height 2.00 m. Plantation: climbing plants to mitigate the impact of the fences; any removed plants will be replaced with equivalent types. 4. Infrastructure and systems The building will be connected to the existing networks: Water, electricity, and gas. Sewage and wastewater drainage, with an existing sewer tank along Via Garnier. 5. Landscape Integration and Regulatory Compliance The project integrates harmoniously with the surrounding environment: It respects the heights and volumes typical of the historical context. It improves the aesthetics of the area by redeveloping an existing ruin. It does not negatively affect visibility from the coast, being mitigated by the existing vegetation. 6. Conclusions The project represents a necessary redevelopment intervention, consistent with the historical, landscape, and urban context of Bordighera. Demolition and reconstruction guarantee structural safety, seismic retrofitting, and aesthetic enhancement, restoring a high-quality building to the context that blends perfectly with the historic backdrop.