« A gentle, slow, sustainable tourism that enhances our cultural heritage, the environment, families would rediscover nature and adventure. Not just an exploitation but a respectful exchange.»
inhabitant from Verzasca valley

Verzasca valley, in Ticino, has been experiencing drastic depopulation for several years and counts today only 828 permanent inhabitants. In contrast, many tourists come to visit the valley for day trips or to rent houses. Tourists and locals co-exist in the valley but don’t interact.

The project intends to orient tourism towards the local community and their territory to create an exchange that supports them while giving tourists a chance to become active visitors.
The implementation of this sustainable tourism starts with the renovation and extension of Cortascio, a small abandoned hamlet. At the end of its transformation, the village becomes a place to learn about the valley, participate in activities, and meet. The skills acquired by volunteers in Cortascio then spread to the valley.

The learning and exchange tourism starts during the construction through three main steps:

1.RENOVATING
Volunteers, assisted by local craftsmen, renovate the existing buildings. It consists of clearing them from clutter, replacing missing stones from the facades, and insulating some of them.

2.STORING
Some non-insulated buildings are used for workshops during the summer. An interior stacking of wood offers a new space and serves as storage. During the winter, the wood is used for further construction in Cortascio, or sold.

3.ADDING
Two new buildings are added to the village. They take advantage of the leveling done by the first inhabitants of Cortascio. The buildings are inspired by the vernacular architecture from the valley and demonstrate the possibility of using a traditional construction technic nowadays.

Cortascio becomes the mediator between tourists and the local community through architecture and the maintenance of Verzasca’s territory.