Hennebique

The 200 meter long Hennebique silos are the landmark of the port of Genoa. This now sleeping giant dates from the very early 20th century and was in those days designed as a state of the art industrial machine for the transshipment of grain. It was the first structure in Italy built from reinforced concrete, an invention of Francois Hennebique, hence the name. This building of extraordinary historical value is for the last 50 years in a complete state of neglect. RI.GENOVA, the company for urban redevelopment within the municipality of Genoa, starts in the course of this year with the complete restyling of the site. Their purpose is to integrate, following the principles of sustainable development, the old warehouses seamlessly in the already redeveloped Porto Antico. Consequently the gap between the cruise terminal and the city centre will be bridged and become a hub that has to serve both tourists and the local population.