SOLIMENE CERAMIC FACTORY RESTORATION

Designed in 1952 by Paolo Soleri after his return from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, the Solimene Ceramic Factory in Vietri sul Mare is the architect’s only built work in Italy and one of the most significant examples of Italian organic architecture. Deeply connected to the local ceramic tradition, the building has become an iconic landmark of Vietri and an important cultural and tourist destination.

The renovation project began with an unprecedented and never-before-attempted phase: the complete and precise measurement of the entire building. Combining traditional surveying techniques with advanced BIM-based methodologies, this process resulted in the first accurate and comprehensive set of drawings ever produced for the factory. This foundational work established a reliable basis for all subsequent design and restoration decisions.

The project involves the structural consolidation and functional adaptation of the listed building, guided by principles of minimal intervention, elimination of degrading factors, and respect for its industrial and architectural heritage. Key interventions address long-standing water infiltration issues through the restoration of the roof waterproofing and the consolidation of the concrete structure.

The intervention preserves the factory’s productive character while improving accessibility and introducing a new exhibition area, enabling regular public access. By enhancing both its architectural value and usability, the project contributes to the preservation of modern architectural heritage and to the transmission of an important chapter in the history of Vietri sul Mare.

LOCATION
Vietri sul Mare, Italy