Historically, this type of building was almost never realised, as it was easier for people in the past to place buildings with different purposes side by side than to group all residential uses within a single structure. In fact, it is very common in historic town centres to find a series of dwellings facing onto a square together with markets, restaurants, or shops.
Subsequently, with the advent of new materials and the discovery of new building techniques, it was thought to regulate the construction of buildings with a specific function by grouping them in well-defined zones, we are talking about the model of ‘zoning’ that characterised, for better or worse, the 20th century.
Today, however, we are witnessing a new design development that tends to favour the diversification of functions both at the urban level and at the level of the individual building. Thus the ‘mixed-use’ model is born, in which different uses such as residential, commercial, and leisure are combined in the same architectural complex.
This approach first of all promotes social cohesion as it avoids the segregation and isolation of people according to their work, encouraging encounters and confrontation. Furthermore, this model attracts a large segment of consumers because both young and old find benefit in having the various services they may need at their fingertips. This also gives rise to important opportunities for exchange and intergenerational relations that also favour the improvement of present activities.
In particular, this approach has also evolved in leisure spaces, which bring together facilities for commerce, food, entertainment, and consequently tourism.
