Designing the Future: Between Engineering and Sustainable Architecture

Interview with Valeria Sclaverano from FOR Engineering Architecture

In the arena of sustainable engineering and architecture, figures like Valeria Sclaverano from FOR Engineering Architecture emerge, a multidisciplinary team distinguished by the integration of greenery into urban contexts through innovative and sustainable projects. Valeria introduces us to the world of FOR Engineering Architecture, a team specialised in engineering and architecture services with a particular focus on urban landscape design. Through the narration of significant projects like the recovery of the Officine Grandi Riparazioni in Turin and the redevelopment of the former Scotti barracks in Chieri, Valeria shows us how greenery is harmoniously integrated into the architecture of buildings, creating livable and inhabitable spaces.

Valeria, tell us about FOR Engineering Architecture. What do you specialize in?

We're a multidisciplinary team specialised in engineering and architecture services. Although we're more engineers than architects, we often handle landscape projects, integrating greenery into the urban context.

Which projects would you like to share with us today?

One of the significant projects was the recovery of the Officine Grandi Riparazioni in Turin, where we aimed to integrate greenery into the building's architecture. Another important project is the redevelopment of the former Scotti barracks in Chieri, transforming it into a centre for local associations.

How did you envision integrating greenery into these spaces?

In Turin, we designed with the idea of filling the spaces with 'boxes' that can accommodate different functions, creating synergy between greenery and inhabitable spaces. For the former Scotti barracks, we're considering a covered square to make the spaces more open and livable, integrating the building with the surrounding green area.

What challenges did you encounter in redeveloping these spaces?

The main challenge was adapting buildings with a history and completely different previous functions to open these spaces to the city and integrate them with new functions. Waiting for funding can slow down the process, but we need to think about the entire project to give new life to the buildings.

Is there a keyword or phrase that represents your approach to the project?

"Integration" is our keyword. We act as intermediaries between engineering and architecture, and our cross-disciplinary approach allows us to treat all disciplines at all levels of the design process, from tender to feasibility study, to construction.

Interview conducted by Giorgio Tartaro