Architect Michela Barone Lumaga will study Brussels’ approach to renovating and reusing historic buildings, bringing practical lessons and new connections back to Sweden.
Michela Barone Lumaga is originally from Italy and is now based in Stockholm with her family. Throughout her career as an architect, she has developed a strong interest in architectural strategies for reuse and circularity across different scales and typologies.
– In Belgium, they have implemented a strong architectural policy that deserves attention, says Michela Barone Lumaga. Municipalities place significant emphasis on finding new uses and functions for large historic buildings connected to the country’s industrial heritage.
Belgian reuse projects have long been a source of inspiration in her professional work, which is why she wishes to travel there to gain a deeper understanding of their progressive and practice-oriented approach to architecture and urban transformation.
During the trip, she intends to meet architects involved in the renovation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, both to learn from their experience and to establish professional networks that may lead to future collaborations and exchanges.
– The best outcome I can imagine from this trip is being able to apply and adapt some of the most effective methods for rebuilding and reuse in Sweden, she says. I believe strongly in Europe as a collaborative framework and in the opportunities we have to work together on questions of rebuilding and reuse – both on a small scale and through larger programmes and initiatives.
She also highlights the challenges faced by smaller municipalities in Sweden, many of which struggle to maintain and manage large existing buildings while lacking viable strategies for their future use. Despite this, many of these structures possess significant architectural and spatial qualities and could potentially be transformed into housing or accessible public and social indoor environments where people can gather freely.
Alongside her teaching at KTH, Michela Barone Lumaga runs the architecture practice Alta Architecture. The grant from the PK Hedborg Foundation supports a study trip she has wanted to undertake for a long time.
– This trip will allow me to focus on specific questions and keep them closely connected to practice, she says. I hope to return with practical ideas and tools that can inform and strengthen my future work.
