Issues of conservation and vivifying recovery of the rural Alpine architecture: goals and methodological approach of a research project between Ossola (IT) and Ticino (CH)

Conservation and requalification of mountain traditional architecture concern a large area of the whole Alpine arch. The purpose of this paper is to show the study of the international project Interreg-AlpStone. Its main objective is the protection and enhancement of an endangered heritage located between Italy (Ossola valley) and Switzerland (the canton of Ticino). In order to allow vernacular buildings to be reused, it is necessary to ensure safety conditions according to current regulations. To do this, a multidisciplinary approach is required: the project investigates the survey techniques, the mechanical properties of the local construction material (e.g. serizzo Formazza stone), the improvement of seismic behaviour and the energy issues. The research project will produce a handbook providing architectonical guidelines for appropriate stone buildings recovery and conservation.