Survival of the historical wing of the former neuropsychiatric hospital of Racconigi (CN)

The Chiarugi pavilion is a former asylum located in Racconigi (Cuneo, Italy). The building presents a spatial configuration that was typical for hospital of the 18th century. This study takes advantage of historical and structural investigations of the building. Preliminary ac- tivities have been conducted to obtain information about the current state of the structure including the geometry, morphology, structural details, and existing damage. In fact, the building is characterized by a severe and extensive pre-existing damage, principally caused by unequal ground settlement. The spread of the damage had been aggravated by the ageing of the building and the lack of maintenance. In June 2016 a portion of the north façade of the building collapsed. This work illustrates the static problem related to this large and complex masonry building and addresses the resulting debate between various contrasting point of views advanced by the Property, the Municipality and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage.