CM1 – Ex Caserma Montezemolo – Recovery Art Palmanova

Ex Caserma Montezemolo

From weapons depot to art refuge

Built starting in 1596, the Montezemolo Barracks were initially known as the ‘Deposito delle Monizioni’ (Depot of Monitions) or ‘Fontego Pubblico’ (Public Warehouse).

With the city passing under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then the Kingdom of Italy, the depot changed function: from a weapons warehouse it became a barracks, named Montezemolo in honour of the famous officer and patriot of the Second World War.

The Montezemolo Barracks covers an area of approximately 50,000 square metres, together with other complementary building complexes. It is located at the entrance to Porta Aquileia, one of the city’s three gates. Its L-shaped layout runs along Via Lion and Via Aquileia, which can be reached from the main entrance by walking through the covered gallery that connects the inner courtyard to the entrance.

From military building to cultural centre

The Montezemolo Barracks consists of two floors with a total net area of 2,141 square metres. The planned operations are: removal of flooring, internal excavation, demolition of walls, reinforcement of perimeter walls, construction of a roof curb.

The project involves the conservation and consolidation of the structural endoskeleton, built almost 100 years ago. This, together with other details and artefacts such as inscriptions, coats of arms, stone frames, railings and stone staircases, preserves the historical heritage of the building.

The most important work focuses on making the building safe. Extensive seismic retrofitting work will be carried out, in addition to energy and acoustic efficiency improvements, in order to comply with the new legal standards. Accessibility will be one of the key points of the design. Every architectural barrier will be removed, so that everyone can access the building without hindrance.

State of the Art at the Start of Work

Construction work has begun. The construction site area was cordoned off with temporary fencing equipped with rain and noise protection tarpaulins.

Opening of the construction site

Once the removal of the building’s non-structural elements has been completed, disposed of in accordance with DNSH and CAM sustainability criteria, preparations are underway for the assembly of the scaffolding.

Demolition works

Once the safety shoring works have been carried out to ensure the stability of the walls, the construction site will be ready for demolition works. Work will begin with the removal of the roof, followed by the demolition of the internal reinforced concrete structures according to a pre-established plan that guarantees the safety of the building and surrounding areas.

Selective demolition and sustainability

Selective demolition will be carried out, working from top to bottom in order to maximise material recovery, avoid debris projection and reduce dust dispersion. The roof will be dismantled after installing safety nets. We will therefore proceed with the removal of the roof covering, recovering the tiles and wooden elements. The resulting material will be deposited in the area specifically designated for selective demolition.

Vehicles at work

The works involve the use of a tower crane positioned in the internal courtyard and electric platforms.

Demolition Works

Once the safety shoring operations aimed at ensuring the stability of the existing masonry had been completed, the construction site progressively entered the demolition phase. The operations began with the removal of the roof, carried out in a controlled manner to avoid stressing the underlying structures. Subsequently, the demolition of the internal reinforced concrete elements was performed according to a sequential plan designed to guarantee maximum safety for the building and the surrounding areas.

Selective Demolition and Sustainability

The project followed the principles of selective demolition, proceeding from top to bottom to facilitate the recovery of reusable materials and minimize environmental impact. After installing the safety nets, the roof was dismantled, with the recovery of tiles and timber elements in good condition, later catalogued and stored in the designated material selection area. Sorting and disposal activities for demolition waste continued regularly until October, with particular attention to dust reduction and separate waste management.

Machinery and Progress

During the summer months and up to October, the work involved the constant use of the tower crane installed in the inner courtyard, supported by electric platforms for work at height. Site logistics were optimized to ensure smooth movement and safety within the operational areas. As the demolition progressed, space was gradually cleared for the subsequent excavation and preparation of the new foundations, scheduled for the autumn season.