Studio Enso di Maesani oversaw the restoration of the building that once housed the production of the renowned Hag decaffeinated coffee. Today, it serves as the new Civic Center of the Municipality of Comerio, a symbolic landmark for the town and a significant example of industrial archaeology.
Specifically, the restoration project was commissioned to our Studio and executed as a subcontract for SWIT srl, a leading company in the public and private construction sector, under the technical site direction of Arch. Marco Grossi.
The project involved a collaborative team: Arch. Claudio Castiglioni served as the Construction Safety Coordinator and project designer; UNASTUDIO (Arch. Angela Baila and Arch. Lorenzo Mazza) acted as Operational Directors and restoration designers; Eng. Attilio Bianchi served as the Structural Operational Director; and Arch. Emilio Introini acted as the Project Manager (RUP).
The operational approach was conservative, conducted under the supervision of the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage and its official, Roberto Nessi.
Through a meticulous process of analysis, research, and recovery of the pre-existing decorative apparatus, the team sought to reclaim sections of the facade and decorations previously hidden by subsequent layers of whitewash (scialbi). This effort aimed to restore light and “voice” to this historic building, reinstating its profound heritage value.
Notable findings include a fragment of original paint in a beautiful, warm pink hue, which has been highlighted on the lower right section of the main facade, adjacent to a faux-ashlar arch decorating the portal. Furthermore, on the short side facing the street, within the upper tympanum previously covered by wooden paneling, the team uncovered the apexes of two arches—originally part of the facade’s decorative scheme—that had long been concealed.
