Ex ospedale psichiatrico provinciale di Vercelli: dalla costruzione alle sfide del riuso

The former provincial psychiatric hospital of Vercelli represents a significant case study of the challenges associated with the reuse of asylum heritage in Italy. Inaugurated in 1937 and progressively decommissioned from 1978 onwards, the complex is now in a state of abandonment, with uncertain prospects for restoration. This study reconstructs the hospital’s construction phases and subsequent transformations, analysing the critical issues related to its conservation and enhancement. The approach adopted considers the site not only from an architectural perspective but also in relation to historical memory and its impact on the community. Among the main challenges are the physical deterioration of the structures, the difficulty in identifying sustainable reuse scenarios, and the symbolic weight of the hospital’s original function. In this context, the study proposes a co-evolutionary approach to reuse, involving an incremental process based on temporary solutions and flexible strategies capable of adapting to the community’s needs and available resources.