REUSE THE RUIN
THE CONCEPT
Having been subject to a lifelong history of battles over its possession, we wanted to design a space that would enable Montemassi to claim back ownership over their castle. We propose a design centred around an open, ‘flexible’ plaza that the town can use and adapt to their requirements. The two remaining towers are ‘fixed spaces’ where the predetermined programs (i.e. the cafe and museum) are situated to create a degree of permanence and consistency.
THE DESIGN
In the plaza, we have chosen to use red-hued-coloured concrete due to its durable and stereotomic nature to create a flat surface that permits optimal flexibility. To create a stark contrast between the primary and new construction, we used a foreign colour and fluid material as opposed to the organic and tectonic nature of the primary structure. The red-hued concrete continues throughout the towers in the form of hollow ‘boxes’ to enhance the monolithic appearance of the new design. Where the ruins lie beneath, a transparent resin brings the surface up to level with the concrete, enabling a visual connection with the history below. A grid ‘peg’ system and moveable, rotatable furniture allow the space to be adapted by the people who use it, enabling it to be transformed for endless uses such as a market square, sports facility, events space or simply a place to relax.
