A flash of brick-red catches your eye. That’s the calling card of the Manica Chevalley. This wing of the Castello del Valentino boasts a unique architectural identity. Today, we will delve into this building’s story.
The Manica Chevalley is part of the Castello del Valentino. It is home to the Laboratorio cartografico. You’ll find this cartography lab at Viale Mattioli 39. To get to the cartography section, enter through entrance B2 after the portico. Head to the second basement floor. For the offices, use entrance B1 before the portico. Then go to the first basement floor.
Need to call? Here are some numbers. Antonio Cittadino can be reached at +39 011 090 7464. Michele De Chiaro is at +39 011 090 7424. Try Paola Guerreschi at +39 011 090 7481. Maurizio Inzerillo’s number is +39 011 090 7425.
In early 2023, new signs were installed in Castello del Valentino. The goal was to improve navigation. Professor Annalisa Dameri led the project. She is the Scientific Officer for the Restoration of the Castle. A team from the Department of Architecture and Design-DAD developed the signage. Professor Marco Bozzola coordinated the group.
The team included Professors Beatrice Lerma and Doriana Dal Palù. Doctors Irene Caputo and Monica Oddone also contributed. They focused on spatial understanding. The signs provide orientation and architectural context. The design respects the building’s features like the French roof.
The signage uses architectural blocks for organization. Panels offer orientation and historical information. They reference different construction periods. Color plays a key role. Slate gray indicates the castle. This color is characteristic of the 17th-century roofs. Brick red represents the Manica Chevalley. This color is typical of its historical and modern architecture. Ocher identifies the Aloisio block. It matches the plaster in the portico areas. Green signifies the new wing. It reflects the glass.
Professor Bozzola explained the color choices. The castle uses colors to show spatial organization. The main building uses colors to identify activities. This approach suits each building’s unique features. The colors were chosen to be highly visible. This increases accessibility for people with visual impairments.
The project involved constant dialogue with the Fine Arts and Landscape Superintendency. Architect Elena Frugoni represented the Superintendency. Professor Dameri emphasized the importance of this collaboration. The Politecnico and the Superintendency shared ideas. This led to helpful insights for the project.
Professor Dameri described the signage as “visible but not obvious.” It balances functionality with blending into the environment. The aim was to harmonize the new signs with the architecture. Professor Bozzola added that the project balanced communication with respect for the site.
The Castello del Valentino is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Contextualization and attention to the location were crucial. Functionality and architectural integration are always important. The Manica Chevalley stands as a testament to thoughtful design. It blends history with modern needs.