Cascina Cuccagna is located in the Porta Romana area (Milan). The 17th century farmhouse had been abandoned for many years. Recovered and restored for public use through a network of citizens and associations – the Associazione Consorzio Cantiere Cuccagna (ACCC) – the former farmhouse is now a place of culture, participations and creation for local inhabitants. It strengthens the social fabric of the neighborhood and city, and is aimed at promoting cultural and social well-being, as well as the circular economy and the spread of sustainable lifestyles.[1;4]
Located within the Porta Romana area, Cascina Cuccagna was constructed as a farmhouse in the late 17th-century. Nowadays, it is located just a few steps away from the center of Milan. With 4.000 m2 of agricultural space, it is a unique entity in the city of Milan. The farmhouse was built in 1695 under the name Cascina Torchio and initially belonged to the Fatebenefratelli Fathers, who used it to grow medicinal herbs for the local hospital. In the 1920s, Cascina Torchio inherited the name Cuccagna from an adjoining farmstead. In 1984, Cascina Cuccagna became property of the municipality, which later declared the farmhouse to be uninhabitable and cleared it of inhabitants and activities. The farmhouse became abandoned and unused. [2]
Starting in 1991, a city-wide campaign “The great dream of the Cuccagna” made its way among local citizens. The idea to turn the historic structure into a socio-cultural center gained local popularity. In the late 1990s, members of the local community establish the Cuccagna Cooperative, an organisation focused on restoration of the Cascina Cuccagna farmhouse. [4] In 2008, renovations of the site start. In 2012, the farmhouse is reopened to the public. Since then, Cascina Cuccagna is serving the local community as well as city-wide inhabitants and associations as a centre of culture and participation. [2;4]
The initiative aims to strengthens the social fabric of the neighbourhood and city and is focused on countering hardship and social exclusion through promoting cultural and social well-being, as well as through promoting the circular economy and the spread of sustainable lifestyles. It is home to a farmer’s market, a bar-restaurant, a guest house, a florist, a travel agency, and a cooking school, as well as several multipurpose rooms, terraces, courtyards and a large garden. The structure of the building allows the organisation of different types of events, ranging from corporate parties, to exhibitions, conferences and private events. [2;3;5] Moreover, a pilot project called Pre.Cu.RSOR is run on site. This pilot has accumulated in the establishment of a construction site-school dedicated to making improvements to the earthquake resistance conditions of historical buildings. [2] Cascina Cuccagna continues to launch new services, including the new WeMi space of the Municipality of Milan, a point of contact for shared welfare solutions. [4;5]
In the late 1990s, members of the local community establish the Cuccagna Cooperative, in an attempt to realise the restoration of Cascina Cuccagna. In 2005, the Cuccagna Cooperative develops into the Associazione Consorzio Cantiere Cuccagna (ACCC). Through a public tender, the City of Milan grants the association use of the farmhouse for 20 years. ACCC pays yearly rent to the municipality (approximately €54.000 in 2021). [4]
ACCC is a consortium of 12 cultural associations and social cooperatives that are in charge of the recovery, restoration and transformation of the historical building. ACCC is governed through an annual shareholder meeting and a board of directors, and stands under supervision of the Mayor of Milan. It operates as a social enterprise. As the managing body of the initiative, the Association is responsible for the day-to-day management and care of the building. ACCC is also responsible for promoting the development of projects and the coordinating various activities that take place within the farmhouse. [4]
Over €3.000.000 has been invested in the restoration of the farmhouse. This is realised with contributions of the Cariplo Foundation and the “Contadino Urbano” fundraiser. The Municipality of Milan did not have to provide additional funding for the restoration. [4]
Projects and activities conducted within Cascina Cuccagna are funded through several (private) foundations and project partners. Next to that, income is generated through rent from spaces, and various cultural and commercial activities that take place within the building. Moreover, the initiative organises fundraising activities and crowdfunding campaigns, and utilises corporate sponsorships for the organisation of events and activities. [4;5]
Cascina Cuccagna – Cucina Bar Foresteria, https://www.unpostoamilano.it/it/cascina-cuccagna/, accessed on 16/01/2023
The Architectural recovery – Cascina Cuccagna, https://www.cuccagna.org/il-recupero-architettonico/, accessed on 16/01/2023
Services – Cascina Cuccagna, https://www.cuccagna.org/servizi/, accessed on 16/01/2023
Cascina Cuccagna Annual Report 2021, available here, accessed on 16/01/2023
Cascina Cuccagna celebrates its ten-year and launches new services – Today News, https://www.ogginotizie.it/demanio-cascina-cuccagna-festeggia-decennale-e-apre-nuovi-servizi/, accessed on 16/01/2023