The project involves the Zo Multifunctional Center – Zo Contemporary Culture Center, located in a former sulfur refinery complex at Piazzale Rocco Chinnici 6, Catania. The building is part of a historic industrial area from the last century, now redeveloped as a space for visual arts, performance, music, writing, and experimental arts. The center operates as a living cultural laboratory, promoting innovation and cross-fertilization between artistic languages, and has become an urban hub for contemporary cultural production and enjoyment.
The planned project involves the construction or completion of approximately 105 square meters of utility rooms above the changing rooms, currently in their unfinished state. The lava stone walls, the wooden roof with Sicilian tiles, and the brick arches are characteristic features that will be restored. The roof will be redone (removing damaged tiles, waterproofing, and insulating the structure), the stone surfaces will be restored with lime mortar joints, cleaning will be carried out, cracks will be repaired using techniques such as "cuci e scuci" (stitch and unstitch), the exterior fixtures will be replaced, the utilities will be upgraded, and the flooring will be improved.
Other parallel projects include the renovation of the auditorium roof, which suffers from structural deformations and water infiltration problems. This will include replacing the damaged beams and restoring the roofing according to criteria compatible with the historical context, preserving the original shape and traditional materials.
The goal is to ensure that the Zo Center can offer technically adequate spaces for artistic, performance, and cultural activities, improving usability, safety, and accessibility. The project strengthens the center's role as a hub for gathering, artistic innovation, and cultural exchange, promoting local and international collaborations, training, and multidisciplinary initiatives.
The requested financial contribution (€273,000.00) covers various interventions on the structures, roofing, systems, and finishes, ensuring the complex meets contemporary technical and regulatory requirements while preserving the building's architectural and historical identity.
Contact the representatives for more information or to express your interest.
