Breath of New Life for the Ruins of Villa Aprilia of Lancia Family in the Italian Alps (1800 m)

Villa Gilodi, later Villa Aprilia, was built by architect Costantino Gilodi in the Belle Epoque style in 1906, equipped with heating, running water and electricity. Its position in the North-Western Alps at an elevation of 1824 m, in a hard-to-reach area, makes this construction unique. The villa was built using local stone masonry and sits on a leveled ground supported by massive embankments with buttresses. This location is rich in historical significance. After architect Gilodi passed away, the Lancia family, owners of the renowned car brand, acquired the villa. During World War II, the region where the villa sits was an escape route to Switzerland and battle ground between partisans and fascists. In 1944, the villa was set on fire and abandoned. The villa has been in a state of ruin ever since and is deteriorating progressively due to the harsh weather and lack of maintenance. Despite this, the masonry proved to be extremely durable over the decades. The architecture is still recognizable and the walls are standing tall, together with the portico. Fortunately, the municipality where it is located, Bannio Anzino, decided to buy the Villa to give it a new life, compatible with the enchanting natural theater in which it is inserted. The municipality is looking into carrying out a sustainable intervention reclassifying it for a new use. This manuscript intends to tell the past, present and potential future of this exceptional masonry construction in the context of its historical and architectural significance