Tra conservazione e riconfigurazione funzionale del patrimonio: l'Alqueria de Barrinto come caso studio di riconversione del patrimonio rurale in ambito periurbano

The Alqueria de Barrinto, an old rural structure converted into a public library in Valencia’s Horta, represents an emblematic case of functional reconfiguration of the built heritage in a periurban context. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining architectural analysis, historical investigation and field research, this study examines the potential and critical aspects of the transformation, highlighting how the intervention preserved the material identity of the building while redefining its social function. The results reveal a successful balance between preservation and innovation, with the library becoming a guardian of collective memory, although its peripheral location and dependence on public funding limit its impact on an urban scale. In conclusion, the research elaborates an interpretative model for future strategies of functional transformation and valorisation of built heritage, highlighting the importance of flanking physical restoration with community involvement strategies and integrated territorial policies. This opens up new perspectives on the value of rural architecture as a cultural and social resource in contemporary cities.