Special mention Bell'Italia | Village Laboratory Ghesc

Our media partner Bell'Italia as part of the 2025 call for entries awareded a special mention to the Villaggio Laboratorio di Ghesc. The Canova Foundation is committed to the recovery and enhancement of historical and architectural heritage, with the mission to preserve and promote traditional architecture through sustainable projects and educational activities. The Foundation has always favoured collaboration between local communities and international realities, creating a bridge between tradition and innovation.

Since 2001, its commitment has focused on the recovery of two medieval villages, Canova and Ghesc, transforming them into places of experimentation, conservation and culture. The medieval village of Ghesc, abandoned for decades and located in the Ossola Valley, is now a centre for research and training on traditional architecture. Thanks to the work of the Canova Foundation, it has been transformed into an open-air laboratory, hosting over 2000 students and collaborating with Italian and international universities since 2008.

Ghesc demonstrates how an abandoned place can be reborn through the exchange of ideas and the participation of people from all over the world, becoming a symbol of cultural regeneration and sustainable. A small village of 8 buildings thus becomes the centre of activities and research organised by the Canova Foundation.