AkzoNobel’s Color Expertise Helps Preserve Genoa’s Heritage and Identity

The municipality of Genoa – one of Italy’s biggest cities and home to the country’s largest port – has partnered with AkzoNobel to launch a color plan which will help preserve its distinctive character and architectural heritage. 

Developed by the company’s Sikkens brand, a three-year agreement has been signed which mainly focuses on the area around the city’s historic Old Port, where some buildings date back to the 18^th century. 

The plan will include technical guidelines which describe the colors and materials that have to be used in all future restoration and redecoration projects on building exteriors. Particular attention will be paid to landscape quality and color compatibility.

Photo: AkzoNobel

“Genoa has a very strong identity which goes back hundreds of years,” explains Simone Mazzoli, Commercial Director of AkzoNobel in Italy. “Together with the municipality, we’re using our expertise to help strengthen the role of color as an identifying element of the city, while contributing to the preservation and enhancement of Genoa’s historic urban landscape.”

Francesca Coppola, Genoa’s Municipal Councilor for Urban Planning, adds: “The goal is not to define a rigid model, but to provide a useful tool to accompany future interventions on facades with greater attention to urban quality, consistency with the historical context and enhancement of existing features.”

Working on the plan involves conducting an analytical and historical study of the traditional colors used on the city’s buildings over the last few hundred years, as well as investigating techniques, materials, building concepts and application methodologies – areas where AkzoNobel has in-depth expertise.

It will offer scientifically based and easily usable tools for the benefit of designers, technicians and local citizens, contributing to a widespread redevelopment which will strengthen the value of Genoa’s historic center and the image of the city both nationally and internationally. 

“We’ve divided the part of the city covered by the plan into three areas and will work in stages,” continues Mazzoli. “We’re starting with the area at the front of the harbor, which we’ll deliver this year, and hope to complete all three phases by the end of 2027.”

As the country’s leading brand for professional painters, Sikkens has developed more than 20 color plans for towns and cities throughout Italy. Successful projects having been carried out in prominent locations such as Turin, Naples, Portofino, Florence and a large part of Rome.