on assignment for stARTT
Exhibition opening 2014 | Ex Corderie dell’Arsenale – Venezia
Fundamentals – Monditalia – 14° Mostra Internazionale di Architettura della Biennale di Venezia
progettisti stARTT
The ghost block of Giambattista Nolli presents the case-study of San Giacomo Hospital of Rome - closed in 2008 by the Governement of Lazio Region, formally motivated by the anti-crisis measures to comply with the fiscal compact. The hospital, founded in 1339, is closed on October 31st 2008 and the building is included in a real estate fund to be sold. So far it seems one of the many operations of private enhancement from public heritage.
Not long before these events, a testament by Cardinal Antonio Maria Salviati (1537-1602) is found at the State Archives of Rome: the San Giacomo Hospital is donated to the healthcare institutions of the Roman People and the building is destinated to a public use as long as it will remain a health structure, otherwise the property will revert to the heirs of Salviati's family.
The block remains abandoned, caught in the legal battle between the public administration that pushes towards securitization and the private citizens – the Salviati family together with civic associations – which defend the public and healthcare use of the complex.
