The project aims to reuse the ruin while keeping its charm as a past architectural object.
To do so, different modern “parasite” modules colonize the remains of the Fallen Church.
These “parasites” want to be recognizable as a new intervention through their architectural language, their modern corten cladding and their functionality.
At the same time, the project holds an intimate relationship with the church and the context thanks to a selected visual, tactile and spatial connection. This connection is given by the openings, that display the parts of the ruin and the view towards the valley, and by the possibility to “climb” and explore what is left of the church from different perspectives.
Therefore, the proposal does not wish to steal the church’s main character role, but rather provides a frame from which the visitors can get a special connection with the territory.
A tower is accessible through the entrance block and generates a pleasant overview point from where it is possible to enjoy the ruin from above. This volume is one of the few “parasites” clearly visible from outside the ruins: it witnesses that a new life has been given to the church while not being excessively dominant on the city landscape.
an old frame for new functions
An open-air theatre is located on the roof of the Auditorium and its main access is through a wide ramp located on the facade. This outdoor space is public and freely accessible 24/7. When events are hosted, the ruin and the view of the valley serve as an astonishing background for music and exhibitions. When no events are planned, it is a space that can be used by the citizens and the tourists to gather, relax or simply admire the church. Public bathrooms, storage, a changing room and direct access to and from the Auditorium’s functions below are available on the same floor level.
The project makes the Fallen Church stand out at a territorial scale, giving the community a new and appealing public space where the ruin’s embodied beauty is fully accessible.
The modules’ design is based on sustainability principles: they are based on low embodied carbon materials, they are spatially flexible and they are based on a Cross Laminated Timber structure, suitable for prefabrication and easy to assemble and disassemble.
