Ficus Carica, the scientific name for the fig tree, is an urban regeneration project inspired by a phenomenon typical of historic towns in Southern Italy: the spontaneous growth of fig trees inside abandoned buildings. The seeds, carried by birds or small animals, find fertile ground among the ruins of deserted houses, expressing a form of life that renews itself despite decay. This natural process becomes a metaphor for the revitalization of inland villages, today affected by depopulation and the neglect of minor architectural heritage. In the case study of Cittanova, Calabria, about 40% of the historic center’s dwellings are unused, and a significant portion is in a state of severe deterioration or collapse. The project responds to this condition through the introduction of lightweight, prefabricated, and self-sufficient micro-housing units designed for young professional couples. These small dwellings act as elements of insertion, new “seeds” capable of reactivating life within historic fabrics without altering their original structure. The goal is to promote a model of diffused, sustainable, and reversible re-inhabitation that contributes to the enhancement of small historic towns and the development of new forms of contemporary living.
