Soft parts of living – Digital Atlas for the incremental regeneration of Public Residential Housing

Authors

  • Spartaco Paris 'Sapienza’ University of Rome (Italy)
  • Carlo Vannini 'Sapienza’ University of Rome (Italy)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69143/2464-9309/19132026

Keywords:

public housing, digital atlas, adaptive regeneration, prefabrication, soft parts

Abstract

The contribution proposes a methodology for the incremental regeneration of Roman public housing, realised through industrialised processes and prefabricated components, understanding digital technologies as a knowledge infrastructure rather than a mere representative tool. Starting from doctoral research on the first PEEP in Rome, the study constructs a Digital Atlas, a decision matrix, and an operational abacus to make the critical issues, priorities, and compromises of transformation legible. The work shows how this built heritage lends itself to different transformations calibrated on a case-by-case basis, on the basis of constructional characteristics, housing needs, and management constraints. Regenerating does not mean preserving through inertia, nor adapting only in terms of performance, but restoring habitability through a project capable of distinguishing between environment, technology, and society.

 

Article info

Received: 11/03/2026; Revised: 21/04/2026; Accepted: 24/04/2026

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Author Biographies

Spartaco Paris, 'Sapienza’ University of Rome (Italy)

Architect and PhD, he is a Professor of Architectural Technology. He directs the CITERA Centre and has taught at numerous Italian and international universities, including Politecnico di Milano, UPC Barcelona, TU Eindhoven, KU Leuven, and East China Normal University. He is the co-founder of the start-up BEST Design and works on technological innovation, design, and the built environment.
E-mail: spartaco.paris@uniroma1.it

Carlo Vannini, 'Sapienza’ University of Rome (Italy)

Architect and PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. His research activity concerns technological innovation applied to the redevelopment and conservation of modern and post-war architectural heritage, with a focus on public housing and urban quality. He works with advanced methodologies and tools for design and construction processes to support the digital transformation of the construction sector. He is a partner of BEST Design, a start-up from ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, which develops projects to support the construction industry through digital systems.
E-mail: carlo.vannini@uniroma1.it

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Torrevecchia (Rome): the tower used for experimentation, seen from the elevated walkway system that connected the residential body to the slab intended for commercial activities (credit: C. Vannini, 2025). AGATHÓN 19 | 2026

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Published

30-06-2026

How to Cite

Paris, S. and Vannini, C. (2026) “Soft parts of living – Digital Atlas for the incremental regeneration of Public Residential Housing”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 19, pp. 228–245. doi: 10.69143/2464-9309/19132026.