Traditional Italian courtyards feature rough stone, red brick, and raw wood, and in those respects Corte Bertesina pays homage to its historical inspiration. The courtyard on the outskirts of Vicenza indeed features those qualities, but it reworks them to make it fall more visually in line with modern design sensibilities.
One of the most striking design aspects of Corte Bertesina is the use of skylights. The central building has two massive windows along its sloped roof that allow light to pour in, making the space bright and cheery even on an overcast day.
The courtyard encircles a small collection of trees from the Po Valley and a large garden area that grows organic vegetables, grains, and fodder for sale. Those crops are cultivated as part of a social farming program that gives jobs to young Italians with Down Syndrome.
Revamped Rural Courtyards
'Corte Bertesina' is a Reimagined 19th Century Italian Building
Trend Themes
1. Skylight Integration - Opportunity for architects and designers to incorporate skylights in buildings to enhance natural lighting and create a bright and cheerful atmosphere.
2. Modernizing Traditional Design - Potential for reworking traditional architectural elements to align with modern design sensibilities, combining historical aesthetics with contemporary appeal.
3. Social Farming Programs - Opportunity to develop social farming programs that provide job opportunities for marginalized individuals while promoting organic agriculture and sustainable practices.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture and Design - Architects and designers can explore innovative approaches to integrate skylights and modernize traditional design elements in their projects.
2. Sustainable Agriculture - The sustainable agriculture industry can adopt social farming programs to empower marginalized individuals and promote organic farming practices.
3. Social Services - Organizations and businesses in the social services sector can support and expand social farming programs to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.