ABSTRACT
This is a case study about the history of the Casa della Madre e del Bambino of Trieste, whose life followed the evolution of political power in the area. The essay analyzes the context, the urban politics of fascism and the role of ONMI (National Organization for Maternity and Childhood). This building can be considered a representative example of regime architecture, whose functional design allowed it to continue its welfare functions after the fall of the regime. The chapter underlines how Umberto Nordio defined a clearly modern project that even today offers high-quality standards and can be considered a precursor to environmental design. This building has been transformed into a kindergarten that also hosts Slovenian-speaking children. The text shows how the protection of the city’ Slavic minority is now possible through this structure that was originally thought for representing the Italian identity of Trieste. This idea is considered by the authors as an example of why the protection and reuse of good architecture must occur apart from its original meaning. The restoration of fascist architecture does not mean the restoration of fascism’s politics, and this is one of the architects’ missions in supporting a public understanding of the built patrimony.
