The Arrigoni Architetti firm, has been awarded one of the most important prizes dedicated to projects and renovation plans that give value to the existing heritage in cities and territories of historical interest, that is the Gubbio Prize 2024 – Italian Section, through the restoration work that has led to the realisation of the venue of Fondazione Biscozzi | Rimbaud in Lecce.

An historical and cultural recognition

The Gubbio Prize was originated by the historical Carta di Gubbio, wrote during the Sixties after the National Conference for the Protection and the Renovation of History Centres promoted by Giovanni Astengo. The Carta has marked the cultural importance of historic cities, stating that their protection is a fundamental premise for the development of modern cities, hence refusing invasive or mimetic renovation standards.

Every three years, the Gubbio Prize supports the renovation process of historic cities, adding value to the functional innovation capability of projects, and their role in preserving social relations between communities and their historical heritage.

The edition 2024 of Gubbio Prize

The 12th edition of the Prize, titled “Europa terreno comune”, has registered a record number of candidacies: 58 Italian projects, 19 from European Countries and 44 between master and doctoral thesis. The award ceremony – confirming the importance of this award in promoting innovation and sustainability of historic centres – took place on 29 November in Gubbio. 

The winning project: Fondazione Biscozzi | Rimbaud
The manager of the prize, Architect Nicola Russi, has explained the reasons why the project of Fondazione Biscozzi| Rimbaud has beaten all the others participating projects: “The winning project is Fondazione Biscozzi | Rimbaud by Arrigoni Architetti in Lecce. On one hand, we thought it was very interesting to highlight a renovation project in the European view (central topic of the prize’s manual entitled in this edition Europe Common Ground): what we are talking about is renovating a modest structure from the architectural point of view by introducing a notable purpose (it is the venue of a Foundation, hosting exhibition spaces, a library and an educational laboratory) in a historical centre that endures excessive tourism and the overextension of commercial activities tourism-related. On the other hand, it is a work of Architect Carlo Scarpa style (fortunately not of Scarpa’s mannerism), faced according to an artisanal dimension, associated with the Italian tradition: it enters subtly the existent.”

A success for the Foundation, the Firm and the city of Lecce

The president of Fondazione Biscozzi | Rimbaud, Dominique Rimbaud, does not hide the gratification: “This prize has a great value for all of us: it represents not only a recognition for Arrigoni Architetti, which I deeply thank for the great work that they have done, but it also represents an achievement for Fondazione Biscozzi | Rimbaud and for the city of Lecce. I am proud to represent, at a national and international level, a virtuous example of how the renovation could generate cultural, social and architectural value, with due regard for the history and local traditions.”