Study on Adaptive Reuse Strategies for Milan Castle in the Early 19th Century

This study analyzes the Foro Bonaparte project as a seminal adaptive reuse concept, arguing it fundamentally enabled the 19th-century preservation of Milan’s castle. Focusing on the castle’s central role, the research investigates historical perceptions of structures through urban utility and Napoleonic vision. Analysis reveals the castle's robust, regular plan ensured its survival, as these attributes facilitated architectural conversion. Comparing Antolini’s and Canonica’s designs shows their distinct impacts: Antolini’s centripetal proposal demonstrated how historical buildings function as landmarks, while Canonica’s axial model illustrated implementing urban plans via private capital, highlighting the era's evolving preservation strategies.