UNESCO Neighbourhood Workshop | Ottavio Di Blasi

The Neighbourhood Workshop is based on the idea that the mono-funcionality characterizing urban suburbs can only be broken up by introducing new functions and activities. Ponte Lambro’s “white houses” are two blocks of council houses measuring 259 metres in length, where over 250 families live. Social disorder and law-breaking are the everyday life here. The Neighbourhood Workshop will be directly incorporated in the old buildings, to provide a meaning of redeveloping. Here are the Workshop features: 1) Business: new work and business activities will be hosted at ground level, as if it was a sort of business incubator. 2) Life: the Workshop “reception” will hold a separate headquarter of the Neighbourhood Bobbies, and also a special new Social Service, providing the elderlies with extra-help. A number of flats will be converted into experimental accomodation, specifically designed for the oldest people. 3) Habitat: a Project Workshop will be located on the first floor, where “suburban managers” will work, proper architects running the neighbourhood. This office will link it with its major urban development schemes. 4) Factory: this area will include a self-construction workshop, designed to encourage specialist craftsmen. It will provide information and tools for modernisation work, as well as tips about the most suitable products and methods.