Working Group
Temporary group of professionals:
Prof. Arch. Giuseppe Cristinelli (lead partner), Arch. Emma Calebich, Arch. Giordano-Bruno Cristinelli, Arch. Dario Giuseppe Maso, Eng. Roberto Ocera (partners).
Description and Historical Background
The “Palazzo del Popolo” is a prominent monument and urban landmark of particular importance in the city of Lonigo. Owned by the Municipality, it has recently housed various uses, including retail and cultural activities, but is currently vacant. It is protected under the provisions of Legislative Decree 42/2004.
The complex is composed of several adjoining buildings, extending over three above-ground floors. It is bordered by another building to the north, Piazza Garibaldi to the east, Viale Pisani to the south, and Piazza IV Novembre to the west.
The subject of the “general restoration and structural consolidation” is the southern portion of this complex. This portion consists of two contiguous buildings, historically known as the residence of the Justice of the Peace (northern building, “A”) and the Royal Gendarmerie (southern building, “B”), whose ground floor houses the “Caffè Borsa,” a historic venue subject to a separate restoration as part of a public-private partnership project.
Building “A” features a tripartite floor plan, with two internal walls perpendicular to the facades facing Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza IV Novembre. The stairwell, accessible from a portico on the ground floor, is located in the northern section and aligned with the facade on Piazza IV Novembre.
The east elevation of Building “A,” facing Piazza Garibaldi, is marked by storefront windows on the ground floor and arched windows on the upper levels, arranged to reflect the interior tripartition. The window decorations and cornices feature early 20th-century stylistic elements. The west facade is dominated by a monumental terrace supported by round arches, running almost the entire length of the building and facing Piazza IV Novembre. The upper floors have simple rectangular windows on plastered surfaces, consistent with the rest of the Palazzo del Popolo to the north.
The southern building, identified as “B,” also has a tripartite floor plan. Its facades (east, south, and west) share a coherent neoclassical style.
The elevations feature arched doors and windows on the ground floor, pedimented windows on the first floor, and square windows on the second floor, emphasizing a horizontal division by floor. The tripartite interior layout is especially apparent on the Piazza Garibaldi elevation, which includes three arches on the ground floor enclosing a central door and two large side windows, and a central balcony above.
The stylistic differences between buildings “A” and “B” are partially unified by the consistent rusticated treatment of their ground floors.
Dimensional Specifications
The Palazzo del Popolo consists of several connected structures, with an overall footprint of approximately 10 by 80 meters and three above-ground floors.
Building “A” measures approximately 10 by 20 meters, with an eaves height of 15 meters.
Building “B” measures about 10 by 16 meters, with an eaves height of 13 meters.
Heritage Restrictions
Protected as a monument under Legislative Decree 42/2004.
Services Provided
Definitive design, executive design, and health and safety coordination during the design phase.
The assignment also includes site supervision and health and safety coordination during the execution phase.
The Project
The objective of the project is the “general restoration and structural consolidation” of the designated portion of the Palazzo del Popolo (as outlined in the historical description). This general aim includes the following specific goals:
Consolidation of masonry walls and floor slabs on the first, second, and attic levels, as well as the roof structures.
Preparation of the first and second floors for future tertiary (commercial or office) use.
Restoration of the exterior facades on the first and second floors and of the roof structures.
The general approach understands restoration as an operation aimed at preserving the material integrity of the building—its physical substance—as the basis for its continuity and recognizability within the community.
Design Documents
General and specialist reports, historical report, technical investigation report, survey and design drawings at 1:50 scale, construction details at 1:20, 1:10, and 1:5 scales, price lists, detailed cost estimates, technical specifications, draft contract, and the health and safety plan including site layout.
Project Timeline
Definitive design: 40 days
Executive design: 30 days
Construction Supervision
The site supervision office will be headed by Prof. Arch. Giuseppe Cristinelli as Construction Director.
Estimated Cost
Approximately €450,000.