YOUNG ARCHITECTS COMPETITION THE APERATURE OF ARTIn collaboration with Jimenez, Makhamreh, Ayed and TsueLocation: Favigiana, Italy
Revitalizing a medieval fortress that has been an abandoned prison into an art and community space. By re imagining the symbiotic relationship between the fortress and the island, where the fortress becomes an integral anchor for art. The art is captured through the aperture whether it’s capturing the art of the historic fortress itself, the art pieces, the landscape or the sky. Incorporating open air gallery, art workshops, art residences, artscape hotel and a community space. In order to refrain from disturbing the integrity of the original structure the design strategy aimed at creating a minimal intervention within the premises of the existing fortress. To accommodate for art residences the strategy was to embed these rooms along the hillside of the fortress. This not only provides a settle gesture that allows the visitor a new way of inhabiting the fortress. It also resembles the nearby tuff quarries which the island is known for, that currently exist along the shore. In addition, the process of excavation consists of metabolizing the material that is excavated and utilizing it to extend the platform along the path, this accentuates another important aspect of the landscape which is the path that leads from the town to the fortress extending the platform which allows amplified views of the landscape and art.