Design Center
The realization of a Design Center in Piedmont
The intervention 
The Project aims at increasing the competitiveness level of the design
economic sector, by enhancing local resources. The Center will represent
a strategic pole for the development of a networked knowledge-based system,
possibly able to dialogue with local actors, as well as to let productive
and professional system interact with the academic and research world.
The main "users" interested in the fruition of the Design Center
will probably be: professors, students, entrepreneurs, experts in the field,
institutional actors (at the different levels : international, national
and, of course, regional and local), occasional visitors and tourists.
The Centre will arise at the crossroad between Corso Orbassano and Corso
Settembrini, where the industrial buildings of "Dai" ancient
plant actually stand. At the moment, the building are used by Fiat, but
they will soon be reconverted for the new destination use.
The project entails some specific interventions, which imply the realization
of: spaces for didactic purposes (in particular, a dedicated area for the
new course of study of "Industrial Design", offered by the Polytechnic
of Turin), some laboratories, a dedicated library (specialized on design
issues and on the evolution of the discipline) as well as some exposition
spaces (for both temporary and permanent exhibition, for instance "Piedmont
Turin Design") and finally, a meeting hall (with a capacity of around
400 seats) together with a restaurant area.
The intervention will be executed into 4 phases. First of all, there will
be a planning phase, between September and October 2006, in order to adapt
the original project to the new one. Then, in November the City will farm
out the intervention. In January 2007, the restructuring works will begin.
Finally, in March 2007 the procedural administrative requirements will
be fulfilled.
The general management of the project has been entrusted to a "Steering
Committee", composed by: the City of Turin, The Region Piedmont, the
Province of Turin, the Chambre of Commerce, the Italian Designers Association,
the Polytechnic of Turin, the University of Turin and some bank foundation
(such as: "CRT "Foundation and "San Paolo" Foundation).
Added Value
This intervention will acquire a symbolic and strategic value, even related to the relevant international events which will take place in 2007 –2008 in Turin, such as : the "Architects World Convention" and the a exhibition "Turin Design Capital" (supported by ICSID - International Council of Societies of Industrial Design).
The investment
The intervention has been financed with a contribution of 4.000.000 euros, while the admitted funding was of around 17,000,000 euros.