CasaCrema + is situated in a residential expansion area of the city of Crema, in the Sabbioni district. The project, which was completed in 2011, represents the first intervention of the Fondo Immobiliare di Lombardia (Lombardy Ethical Real-Estate Fund), and as such was one of the first experiences of private Social Housing to be realized in Italy. The project offers an innovative accommodation solution with an emphasis on quality and sustainability, actively contributing towards the construction of a lively and safe context that is able to act as a reference and meeting point for the whole neighbourhood. It consists of 90 dwellings for affordable rent split into various different accommodation solutions that enable people to choose between three- and four-room apartments, all with access to an open space for the exclusive use of the residents.

The intervention is composed of two residential blocks and a kindergarten. The hub of the project is the public square around which are located the residences, commercial activities, school and cycle and pedestrian links with the existing neighbourhood and the residential expansion area. The square is a well-known meeting place where the neighbourhood children can play together and where it is possible to organize parties and markets. The Kindergarten was designed as a countryside element through the use of a green roof that, being visible from the apartments, is considered to be an architectural feature of key importance. In the development of the project, concurrently with an ad hoc contribution from Fondazione Cariplo, the energy-efficiency characteristic of the residential buildings took on a central role. A detailed study of the form and materials used for the outer shell, of the technologies used for heating and ventilation, and the production of energy from renewable sources all led to the project being certified energy class A CENED.

The aim of this project is to create a supportive environment in which the inhabitants can share initiatives of socialisation and free time and enjoy the spirit of collaboration and mutual support, thus making many of the small details of daily life easier to manage. A shared space on the ground floor is designated to hosting the collaborative activities for the residences and the local neighbourhood proposed by the residents, and in particular by the association Amici della Piazza (Friends of the Square), which was set up in March 2014 by the inhabitants themselves. The purpose of Amici della Piazza is to promote activities and collaborative services, not only for the tenants but also for the neighbourhood and the city of Crema.

FONDO IMMOBILIARE DI LOMBARDIA
FUND MANAGEMENT AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
REDO Sgr
TECHNICAL AND SOCIAL ADVISOR
Fondazione Housing Sociale
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Comune di Crema

ARCHITECTS
D2U_Design To Users

SOCIAL MANAGER
Consorzio Cooperative Acli di Cremona

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Mangiavacchi Pedercini spa

ASSOCIATION
Associazione Amici della Piazza