How would you define your experience with Insula?

It has been an exciting experience, it gave me the possibility to take care of Venice from a privileged point of view, we have worked on its “physical state” and were in a stage of deepening, increasing knowledge, experimenting new techniques and procedures, which were then destined to consolidate in which for many aspects was a model procedure. It has been satisfying to work for a company whose structure has been accurately organized since its foundation (1997) and continuously improved, with expert and motivated staff. I could also share the management and strategic choices with councilors who worked with extreme professionalism.

How did the company evolve during the last years? Insula had years of continuous growth in terms of quality and quantity, under the pression of a social request which made the city’s maintenance one of the main objectives. With time the company grew until the present configuration, which appears as balanced and efficient. One of the aspects which has been taken care of most by all our employees is the relationship with citizens: a due act, seen that working in Venice - on reduced spaces and in a continuous interlace with people and buildings – is difficult for everybody. Now, with the recruitment of everyday maintenance, the connection has become even more frequent and we pay the greatest attention in order to answer quickly to all themes submitted to us.

What is the situation of the maintenance works in the city?

It reached good percentages on many of the issues in which we were engaged. Our yards are subject to ongoing attention both by residents and by visitors and tourists, who appreciate as a gift the possibility to see – when we dry the canals and work into them – how this mysterious city coming out from the water is made. Everybody is concerned about Venice and the care of the city, that the city council administration carries out through the Insula programs, is seen by everyone as a concrete sign that actively guarantees the survival of this grand device.

Which were the most meaningful moments of your management? The first thing was the floating bridge thought by Insula for the fest of the Redeemer, which represented a moment in which we were on the same wavelength with the city. When the army declared that they were not longer able to guarantee for the old military bridge, the city council administration had to prepare the structure in really precarious conditions. In that occasion it was Insula that had to spot a good project, immediately approved and shared by the city council administration. From 2002 Insula realizes the new bridge of the Redeemer, whose central part is also used to build the bridge of the Salute. Moreover, thanks to its modular units, the structure has also been used for the floating pavilion of the Biennale 2005 in the Arsenale basin and for the gangway put in occasion of the Venice Marathon in order to link the Salute with San Marco.

What is the current situation of Insula?

Since two years there are problems concerning the integrated plan about the canals, caused by the government’s decision to give all funds of the special law, which is the main source of financing for the city’s maintenance, the public works and, in our case, the Mose project. Financial transfers have become more and more reduced and the program has already undergone significant slowdowns. The year 2005 managed to end successfully as the years before thanks to the ongoing works, but 2006 seems to be a critical year and asks various questions about the continuity of the maintenance works. The city council administration knows the situation well and is making choices which are going to set off the technical and effective abilities of Insula even for the future, but it is certain that the company is not experiencing some difficult moments. But we are all concentrating on the current problems and on the search for solutions, I would therefore think that the perspectives for Insula are positive.

Which could be the outcome of your experience with Insula?

I am leaving a company which, in the last five years, has doubled its value owing to constantly positive balance sheets and to the allocation of the corresponding values to corporate reserves, year after year, as a consequence of an unanimous decision of all members. If the times are not easy, we can say nonetheless to have been efficient but also sober and farsighted. This is Insula style.