Five months have already passed since the night of the flood, when the river Cervo swept away Hydro, the Terme Culturali, part of Accademia Unidee’s classrooms and other areas of Fondazione Pistoletto (for a total loss of 1300 sqm of exhibition, performance, rehearsal and storage space). Our Journal has kept our readers regularly updated on the work progress, providing step-by-step info on the operations. In the month since our last update – consisting in the removal of the remaining insecure parts of the building and of the roof of the former Hydro space – the works have carried on at planning level. The first phase of interventions, i.e. the clearing and removal of debris, has concluded, and the working site is currently closed. The activities are continuing behind the scenes though: ten days ago a meeting was held between Cittadellarte’s consultants, Regione Piemonte – Public Works and the City of Biella; and on 10th February Fondazione Pistoletto’s team met the superintendence and the assessor for urban planning to show them a preview of the project proposal, so as to speed up the procedure to obtain authorisation to proceed.
Talking to us is Emanuele Bottigella, from Cittadellarte’s Architecture office, to share with us the latest updates: “We have extended the range of the topographic survey, i.e. the report of the hydraulic experts, with the intention of intervening further upstream from the Foundation,” he explained, “our working site’s next step will concern the new wall, and the company that will be contracted will start with the necessary perforations and the palification. We are planning a 9- meter-high reinforced concrete wall resting on rock about 8-10 meters deep, supported by micro-poles and augers to make its foundation solid. To this purpose, we are currently meeting with different firms and considering their quotes; if all proceeds as planned, the new working site will open in April. In spite of the Covid-19 emergency and December’s snowfalls we have not had any setbacks”.
