Artistic render of the Abitazione per la Pace

Natuzzi, the largest furniture company in Italy, recently reported its participation in Abitazione per la Pace, the first step of an initiative for refugees, proposed by actress and human rights activist Sharon Stone and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Betty Williams, which is among the major projects of the City of Peace for Children in the Region of Basilicata Foundation.

Abitazione per la Pace, designed by studio Cucinella, is a low-cost, high quality residential ecohouse; the shape of the complex is inspired by the wings of a butterfly and will be built using processed wood from controlled deforestation directly into the joinery of the Natuzzi Group.

The agreement for the construction of this first house was signed May 11, at the offices of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, at the end of the Food for Security and Peace meeting. The event was attended by four Nobel Peace Prize laureates: Muhammad Yunus, Oscar Arias Sanchez, Tawakkol Karman, and Betty Williams, who, as Chairwoman of the Fondazione, explained the Città della Pace per i Bambini Basilicata project, which has ensured the welcoming, protection, and integration of over 110 refugees and asylum seekers to date, in accordance with a comprehensive acceptance model.

The architectural project to be realized in Scanzano Jonico (Matera), will welcome three refugee families, and may become an example to be replicated in areas most affected by the phenomenon of refugee acceptance.

"Being hospitable does not only mean making their home harmonious and comfortable, something to which we contribute every day with our work and our passion" says Pasquale Natuzzi, founder of the Group. "Being hospitable also means rolling up your sleeves to defend the universal right to shelter, when people are fleeing wars and famine. This is why Natuzzi supports the City of Peace Foundation."

(Source: Furniture World Magazine)