Fondo Basile, Messina

The Fondo Basile project in Messina represents a landmark in social housing. Comprising 60 apartments distributed across three independent four-storey buildings, it responds directly to the precarious living conditions found in the city’s Baraccopoli – informal settlements defined by makeshift construction, insecure tenure, overcrowding, and a chronic lack of public infrastructure. The project’s scope, however, extends considerably beyond the provision of housing units. Fundamentally, it constitutes an act of urban regeneration – one that positions sustainable construction and social responsibility not as competing priorities, but as mutually reinforcing ambitions.

Technical Solutions in CLT, GLT and Steel

In close collaboration with Studio Settanta7, Rubner undertook one of the project’s most demanding architectural challenges: realising a building of soft, flowing lines. The structure’s distinctive curvature stands in deliberate contrast to the rigid geometry of the surrounding buildings, while vibrant colours and carefully considered timber details

animate the façades – a conscious departure from the grey uniformity that once defined the area.

The project incorporates 2,200 m³ of solid CLT timber and 50 m³ of GLT, alongside 55,000 kg of steel — all designed to ensure structural stability and seismic safety. The choice of timber as the primary building material was driven by its fast construction time and low ecological footprint. Modern prefabrication methods optimise the construction schedule without compromising quality, guaranteeing an efficient approach within a complex urban environment.

Sustainability and Innovative Design

The architectural design process followed current regulations and contemporary standards. The building acts as an “architectural landmark”, inviting the community to engage with it. The residential units have been designed to offer future residents a high standard of comfort and quality of life, while establishing a low-impact, sustainable settlement.