VALLEDOLMO 2030: The Elm House and the New Corso Project

This action-research project builds on previous project experiences in the area: the Fiumara Health Park, the Health Center, the redevelopment of the urban fabric along the Sciarazzi stream, the public space of the Agricultural Fair, and the new Agri-food Pavilion.

The work focuses on the enhancement and use of public space, considered a founding element of the town of Valledolmo. The research draws inspiration from a 17th-century historical map, which notes the presence of an elm tree, today symbolically represented by a young tree, surrounded by the town’s main monuments: the Baglio Castellana, the Mother Church, and the Church of the Holy Souls.
The redevelopment project involves the redesign of a system of squares and walkways on multiple levels, connected along the longitudinal axis of Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, renamed Corso Novissimo. This new urban itinerary culminates at the town’s founding site, the Casa dell’Olmo, a small monumental building serving the community.

The Casa dell’Olmo, designed through the demolition of three existing semi-abandoned buildings, houses public spaces on the ground floor, while the three upper levels house an information center and exhibition of local products, co-working spaces, the future headquarters of the Community Cooperative, and the Combatants and Veterans Association. A panoramic terrace entirely clad in local glazed majolica offers a panoramic view of the rooftops of the historic center and the valley of the upper Madonie.
The thesis highlights how the valorization of historical and productive sites can become a driver of local development, strengthening community cohesion and encouraging a return to areas of agricultural excellence. The Casa dell’Olmo thus represents a symbol of Valledolmo’s resilience and economic capacity, and a point of reference for the future Community Cooperative.

Through this experience, the collaboration with architect Mariano Genovese confirms its commitment to supporting urban regeneration and sustainable territorial development projects, contributing to the enhancement of the cultural and social heritage of small Sicilian municipalities.