CHIESA DIRUTA 

Reuse the Fallen Church Competition

2021_conceptual

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The architectural intervention is done with a soft touch; a simplistic geometry is nestled into the existing church ruin to avoid introducing an imposition against the ancient church. A singular programmatic volume is placed into the nave of the existing church maintaining a sense of lightness. This form houses the public functions of the new concert hall. Visitors enter through the existing archway on the lower level at the south west and find themselves in an intimate plaza flanked by a coffee shop, seating area, concert hall offices and entrance to the main building. The walk, from the front arch to concert hall entrance, is meant to mimic the procession from the sacrament of communion. The priest comes down from the altar to stand amongst the congregation. Behind the altar is a statue of Christ on the cross and as individuals go up to receive the host their eyes travel upward in a gesture of awe. As event goers cross the court their gaze is drawn upward, following glass face of the new concert hall to the existing stone halo above.  The concert hall has a height that seems to stretch up towards the heavens in the tight space. If the glass is open, the entire entry court fills with the sound of the performance within providing an additional sensory stimulus that adds to the overall atmosphere.

Visitors slip into the building beneath the concert hall. On the lower level they can purchase tickets, browse the gift shop and use the washrooms. In the aisles of the existing church vertical circulation takes guests up through the programming: to the south is a stair up to the auditorium and to the north an elevator that accesses all floors. The folding glass back wall of the concert hall can open up, allowing the scenery and breeze to flow into the auditorium and the music flow out into the surrounding community. It is easy to imagine a mid-afternoon Sunday performance where sound is spilling out over the hillsides bringing a sensation of joy to everyone around. The auditorium and balcony can accommodate approximately one hundred and thirty-five guests. A small courtyard performance space for twenty-five guests is located on the north side of the third floor and is open to the sky. A rooftop restaurant provides a spectacular space for dining while overlooking the surrounding hillsides and listening to music. 

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