Didn’t someone once say that the best communities are born from necessity? The Villaggio INA in Cesate embodies that spirit. It showcases Italy’s post-World War II resilience.
The Villaggio INA arose from the national reconstruction plan. This plan aimed to create new residential areas. It provided public housing during the reconstruction in the 1950s. Imagine, if you will, the landscape of Cesate transformed. The Villaggio INA emerged as a response to a surge in migration. It reshaped the area’s social and cultural fabric.
The Villaggio INA’s urban layout dates back to this post-war period. It sits on the southwestern edge of Cesate near the Milan-Saronno railway. Picture a trapezoid shape. The railway borders it on the southwest side. This area covers about 191,000 square meters. This is a significant portion of Cesate’s total urbanized area.
Architects like Franco Albini and Lodovico Belgioioso shaped the Villaggio INA. They drew inspiration from English Garden Cities. They also looked at New Towns and modern community designs. The goal was to create a high quality of life. They wanted to foster social connections among residents.
The original plan included 33 hectares. It envisioned 1,312 dwellings. It also planned various public buildings for a community of 6,100 residents. Most residents came from nearby areas. Some migrated from southern Italy. However, the project faced a major reduction. The surface area decreased by 40% to 20.5 hectares.
The architects designed various residences. There were 85 terraced buildings of different types. These provided 478 single family homes over two floors. Enrico Castiglioni designed the remaining 96 apartments. He arranged them in a single 185 meter long building. It had four and five floors. Locals quickly nicknamed this unusual structure the “Palazzone”. This translates to “big building.”
The designers grouped buildings around core areas. These resembled courtyards. Each had a small open space. This encouraged interaction among residents. It gave children space to play. Albini’s terraced houses with porticos formed a central point. The homes of Albricci and BBPR surrounded them in an organized grid.
The Municipality of Cesate now owns almost all public areas. The Azienda Lombarda Edilizia Residenziale transferred the real estate assets. The Villaggio INA began as an independent settlement. Now, it is fully integrated with Cesate. Yet, it retains its unique identity. It stands apart from the rest of Cesate’s urban landscape.
Consider the school within the Villaggio INA. Studio BBPR designed it in 1957. It features an irregular layout. It has pentagonal classrooms. Each classroom has direct access to the garden. It was conceived as a child friendly building.
The Villaggio INA sought to offer ample and significant spaces. It aimed to create a good quality of social life and relationships between residents. Designers wanted to experiment with numerous public structures. They also desired a generous amount of green space. They envisioned more than just a suburb. They imagined a true garden city. The models came from those being built in Northern Europe.