The history of the sawmill in the Arbedo Valley has ancient roots, dating back to the fifteenth century when Carlo da Cremona received authorization to build a sawmill in a local forest. This first attestation, found in a parchment from 1478, clearly indicates the presence of a structure intended for woodworking at that time.

Subsequent documents confirm the existence of the sawmill, also described as “una resiga” (a saw) in municipal estimates from 1718. The saw utilised water from the Traversagna stream via a canal, a common practice to harness hydraulic energy for woodworking.

However, the sawmill’s history is characterized by periods of challenge and adversity. In 1856, a letter to the town hall highlighted problems related to water shortages caused by dams built along the stream to facilitate the floating of logs. This led to the temporary suspension of activities.

Despite these challenges, in 1862, the owners decided to reactivate the sawmill, entrusting its management to the town hall, which kept it operational for several years.

Over time, various modifications were made to the structure and management. For example, in 1885, Ostini, the tenant, requested permission to cut down trees to repair the water supply canal. In 1897, the sawmill underwent further modifications, with some components replaced and a new type of saw introduced.

The history of the sawmill also includes proposals to change its purpose. In 1888, the city of Bellinzona proposed purchasing it to convert it into a hydroelectric power plant, but the offer did not proceed due to disagreements over the price and conditions.

Despite efforts to keep the sawmill active, it faced periods of inactivity and financial difficulties during the twentieth century. In 1933, after years of ups and downs, the sawmill permanently closed its doors.

Proposals to build a new sawmill in the following 1930s were not accepted, and the facility fell into disuse, concluding an important chapter in the industrial history of the Arbedo Valley.

The project assigned to the ribo+ atelier of Cadenazzo, led by its founder and director, architect Christian Rivola, was carried out in collaboration with the Office of Cultural Heritage.

After carefully studying the pre-existing structure and clearing away the inappropriate modifications made by a local craftsman who used it as a storage space, the decision was made to restore the remaining original elements. The team opted against reconstructing the machinery previously used for the sawmill’s operation.

This choice was influenced by the alteration of the watercourse that once powered the hydraulic wheel, which had been modified in recent years due to the reorganization of adjacent plots of land and the construction of a municipal road upstream. These changes effectively blocked both the inflow and outflow of the water that had powered the sawmill’s equipment.

This decision shaped the project’s approach, prioritising the preservation of original features while narrating the story of lost elements. Through a blend of innovative and sustainable construction techniques, visitors are offered a deeper understanding of the site’s past.

The building’s original nature inspired efforts to enhance its context, creating a dialogue with its past and enabling a dynamic interpretation of its history, present, and future.

A future guaranteed by the present-day use determined by the Foundation, which envisions this renewed structure as an ambassador of past traditions and their considerable impact on today’s local territory.