Architecture, understood not as a constructive practice but as a social, symbolic, and anthropological discipline, emerges as a means to interpret and enhance the commons. Communities "do architecture" in the territory through all practices of sharing, transforming it into a relational act that shapes the places where communities engage in practices of collective management and sharing. In this context, commons become not only physical spaces but also platforms for rethinking the relationship between communities and their territory.
With the idea of "Another way of owning"[1], commons offer an alternative perspective that challenges the dominant model of private ownership and, at the same time, the paradigm of architecture as an expression of spatial dominance. Instead, architecture here becomes a tool for generating connections, fostering ecological sustainability, and promoting social cohesion. This vision does not merely construct buildings but initiates a design approach that reflects the values of sharing and resilience.
Commons become the ideal setting for experimenting with a "relational architecture," where the project is not an end but a means to a continuous process of regeneration and participation. Architecture can take on a leading role in transforming these spaces into hubs of social and territorial innovation.
This approach not only surpasses conventional development models but also suggests a new paradigm in which architecture becomes a practice of dialogue and care. Commons thus stand as examples of creative resistance, capable of addressing contemporary challenges, while architecture serves as an essential tool for generating a more equitable and sustainable future rooted in the value of sharing.
[1] Grossi, P., 2019. Il mondo delle terre collettive: itinerari giuridici tra ieri e domani. Macerata: Quodlibet
