Studio Bettini – Palazzo Gonzaga (Guastalla – RE)
The intervention at Palazzo Gonzaga in Guastalla addresses universal accessibility and the restoration of the Ducal Apartment through an integrated approach. The installation of a new elevator, inserted within an existing shaft and designed according to principles of compatibility and reversibility, provides full access to the museum level, extending accessibility to the entire monumental complex.
The restoration of the Ducal Apartment acknowledges the extensive alterations carried out during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, which compromised the original structures and decorative surfaces, making any mimetic reconstruction inappropriate. The project therefore adopts a critical approach, centred on the introduction of a raised floor that accommodates building services while ensuring accessibility, reversibility, and the preservation of the remaining historic fabric.
The intervention is complemented by a proposal, not yet implemented, for the ephemeral reconstruction of the original pavilion vaults through a lightweight tensile fabric system supported by an independent metal structure. Conceived as a reversible installation, this solution aims to restore the perception of the original spatial configuration without reproducing lost partitions or creating false historical elements. As a whole, the project represents a contemporary approach to architectural conservation, integrating accessibility, preservation, and design through a critical interpretation of the building’s historical stratification.
- Location: Guastalla (RE), Italy
- Year: 2021–2025
- Client: Municipality of Guastalla
- Contractor: Marmiroli S.r.l.
- Temporary Association of Professionals (RTP):
- Studio Bettini Architetti Associati – Lead Consultant (architectural works and site safety coordination)
- Studio Tecnico Associato Marchingegno (structural engineering)
- MEP Studio (mechanical systems)
- Daniele Franchini (electrical systems)
- Riccardo Altobello and Beatrice Lorenzi (junior professionals)
- Renderings: Alberto Rossini
AR muRAtuRA Architecture & Visualization 