Living Stones. Adaptive Reuse and Social Regeneration of Abandoned Monastic Complexes in Italy

Across Italy, a growing number of ecclesiastical buildings—namely monasteries and convents —are falling into disuse due to progressive secularisation. Although this phenomenon is increasing, it is still under-researched in Italy, unlike in other countries where reuse practices are more advanced. This heritage is unique because it combines material and immaterial values. Its physical, morphological, and typological features reflect a collective life full of cultural and symbolic meanings, which are now at risk of disappearing. This situation is both a challenge and an opportunity for contemporary architectural practice, especially given the current imperatives on sustainability, land use, and social equity. The research presented, conducted at the Politecnico di Milano, explores the adaptive reuse of abandoned “religious houses” with a specific focus on socially oriented regeneration. Through bibliographic investigation and case analysis, the study reflects on which functions may be most appropriate to re-inhabit these spaces - favouring inclusive uses that respond to widespread conditions of fragility and privileging the preservation of the memory of their residential and community-based functions. A disused convent in Rimini was selected as a case study. The research combines analytical, participatory, and meta-design phases. Given the absence of complete existing documentation, the methodological approach integrated direct building surveys, cartographic analysis, and historical reconstruction, together with dialogues involving local actors and potential users. This multi-scalar method led to the elaboration of design prefigurations that interpret the site’s spatial potential in response to current social and environmental needs. Ultimately, the research highlights the relevance of an approach to underused sacred heritage and “religious houses” that seeks to unlock its latent potential through thoughtful revitalisation, grounded in a renewed relationship between care, memory, and contemporary use.