Ammasso Silo Characterization and Repurposing

Abstract

Italy built its ammasso silo network in the 1930s for two purposes: to stockpile grain and to symbolize fascist power. Much of the network was destroyed in World War II, and over half of the silos still standing are now disused and in disrepair. These structures should be protected and refurbished because they are part of Italy’s historic and agro-industrial heritage and because reusing existing buildings instead of constructing new ones reduces the carbon footprint. To evaluate silo repurposing potential, a method developed for inventorying Spanish silos was adapted and applied to the 30 remaining ammasso silos. The method explores the general features, construction, equipment, and socioeconomic environment of each silo. All extant ammasso silos have machinery for receiving, storing, and dispatching grain, and most have equipment for cleaning, sorting, weighing, and packaging. Vertical-cell silos are challenging to convert, unlike horizontally-oriented silos and other open-plan agro-industrial buildings. Even so, some have already been made over into shops, leisure areas, museums, and even homes. Examples of silo reuse in other countries, such as Spain and Portugal, can offer further useful insights. However, socio-economic indicators suggest that silo repurposing projects are viable only in large population centres.