Our intervention focuses on the restoration of the Arsenali Medicei built by Cosimo de ‘Medici on the Lungarno riverbank in Pisa, and the preparation of the museum rooms that populate the site. Originally used as shipyards, they have changed their use several times and, in the current configuration, highlight their transition to cavalry barracks. With the Unification of Italy, they became one of the Savoy family’s horse breeding centres, which was operational in service of the Italian Army until 1965.

The current architectural structure of the Arsenals tells the story of their articulated journey through history, cementing their great value of the complex. For this reason, our architectural, system engineering and structural interventions are guided, above all, by their conservation.

The necessity to restore this complex is closely linked to the discovery of shipwrecks on the outskirts of Pisa during excavation works.

The scope of architectural interventions includes the restoration of the main façade located in front of the Lungarno riverbank, along with other features of the building, such as walls and fixtures. It also included the roofing restoration of the rear loggia, which was seriously damaged and subsequently collapsed after the wars. Particular attention has been paid to the system engineering interventions, in order to minimize their visual impact and preserve the site’s  architectural features.

In fact, the interventions have included the restructuring of the previously installed thermo-hydraulic systems, and the completion said systems in the remaining sections of the complex. It was necessary to adopt a heated floor system to provide the large architectural structures with optimal heating, along with a cooling system, dehumidification and airflow system.

Interventions were also carried out to complete the electrical systems, install suspended reflectors, adjustable LED projectors running on a track, recessed floor LED lights and central lighting along the entrance path.

The seismic improvement interventions have provided reinforcement for the perimeter and internal walls, insertion of metal chains on the naves’ arches and connection of the roof beams, in order to ensure the improvement of the load-bearing capacity of the structure.

Among the interventions carried out inside the Arsenals, a crucial role was played by the museum rooms setup, aimed at sharing the site’s findings, which can be dated back between the Etruscan period and the late ancient times. The main objective was to create a naval narrative, introduced by a detailed description of the historical and urban context, through a flexible and light setting: this would confer a higher profile to this “monument – container”.

According to furnishing arrangement, the museum was originally conceived to provide an easily modifiable and adaptable path that could keep up with the research progress, while simultaneously maintaining a thorough reconstruction of the different uses of the Arsenals grounds and structures.