Cabras, young architects at work to study the pond and what is around it

There is only one objective: to study traditional villages to safeguard and enhance them. The Save the traditional village project, promoted by Limolo House and the SinisTerrae cultural association with the patronage of the Municipality and in close collaboration with the Polytechnic of Turin and the Universities of Cagliari and Shanghai, ended in Cabras.

Born in China in 2017 and launched in Cabras two years ago under the direction of the Turin architect Luciano Pia, the project this time presents proposals for the enhancement of the area overlooking the Mar'e Pontis pond. Mayor Andrea Abis: «We have strongly appreciated this project since its first edition, for its high social value and for the objective of redeveloping what belongs to us most: the architectural tradition of Cabras which is made up of precious knowledge that risks losing over time. Our administration wants to support this commitment for the redevelopment of our town."

Architect Luciano Pia explains what Cabras represents: «A classic traditional village that can still be enhanced and made contemporary without losing its nature. It is this aspect that particularly intrigues us. Ancient values and knowledge can be recovered, making this place a symbol, where traditions, culture and innovation coexist with the natural landscape." Cabras became a polyglot center for several days. English, Chinese and Italian students compared. Everyone participated in the phases of architectural survey and landscape context of the Cabras pond, developing project proposals that the administrators will now evaluate.

«We used a very common method in architecture teaching to approach problems by identifying parameters - reports Carla Bartoluzzi, professor at the Polytechnic of Turin, who followed the work path of the young architects - Through a profound comparison we shared our impressions with those of the students". He animated the project for the recovery of raw earth and wood construction techniques, the preservation of memory and the consolidation with modern technologies and traditional materials.