The final and detailed project, based on the concept design by Italo Rota, aims to regenerate the Sant’Arcangelo complex in Fano, a prominent historical landmark in the city center, transforming it into a multifunctional creative and cultural hub.
The intervention integrates the restoration of monumental heritage with the creation of the new Carnival Factory and the House of Music. The goal is to reclaim underutilized areas and provide citizens with a dynamic infrastructure dedicated to artistic experimentation and creative expression.
At the core of the project is the “factory” concept, representing a place for artisan craftsmanship and innovation. The complex spans multiple levels and includes the Carnival Museum, creative laboratories, rehearsal and recording rooms for the House of Music, as well as social spaces such as a cafeteria and renovated outdoor green areas.
Five monumental artistic “machines” act as both visual landmarks and functional catalysts along the exhibition path:
• Vitruvium Transfert: a square-based tower, approximately 4 meters per side, that runs through the entire building from the underground level to the roof. Beyond its strong artistic presence, the Vitruvian tower operates as a passive environmental device: by channeling natural wind flows, it contributes to the thermal regulation of the museum. The structure is clad in wooden elements, reinforcing its connection to natural materials and sustainable design.
• Magic Cube: a cubic internal space measuring 12 meters per side and rising through three levels. Conceived as an immersive artistic environment, it allows visitors to experience a dynamic interplay between moving machines.
• Lighting Walls: a system of paneled surfaces arranged at different heights, designed to provide both technical and scenographic lighting for the Magic Cube. These programmable panels can modify the color and atmosphere of the interior space.
• Bio-Building Machine: a bioclimatic greenhouse integrated into the architecture, functioning as a true “living machine” for the cultivation and production of edible plant species. It uses water collected from the rainwater harvesting system and is enclosed by a distinctive façade featuring triangular, colored glass panels that form a three-dimensional, faceted surface.
• Front Street Installation: the glazed façade along Corso Matteotti is defined by three-dimensional, bubble-shaped colored glass elements. These low-emissivity glass panels enhance both the building’s energy performance and its visual identity, creating a vibrant and recognizable interface with the urban context.
The integration of sustainable design solutions, such as the rooftop photovoltaic system and the use of materials that preserve the building’s historical memory, ensures enhanced environmental and urban quality. By transforming heritage into a living entity, the project fosters social interaction and strengthens the cultural identity of Fano for all age groups.