THE FALLEN CHURCH

The ‘Fallen Church’ rises anew. Envisioned as a concert hall for the inhabitants of Grottole and beyond, the proposal aims to replenish the landmark’s long-standing relationship with its surrounding landscape, its role as a congregation place and enhance its symbolic identity. Drawing inspiration from the location’s geographical morphology and the church’s idiomatic architectural aspects - its fragmentation, permeability, visual connections - the design unravels as a collection of communal, open spaces that promote collective artistic expression. The spaces welcome live music performances, as well as conferences, exhibitions, movies and performance arts. Their flexibility ensures spatial future repurposing to cater for the needs of tomorrow’s communities.

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A protruding transparent structure encloses the western side of the church, extending its perimeter with a large terrace that fosters additional viewpoints and social interactions. The perimeter of the curtain wall reproduces Grottole’s town topography, sealing its identity in the proposal’s architecture. The terrace connects visitors to the valley whilst allowing passersby to peak into the concert hall. The lateral wings in perforated metal lightly conceal services and enclose a secondary multi-purpose stage with a community area that can host activities simultaneously, such as live music and exhibitions.

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The interventions don’t attempt to restore or repair the existing ruins but celebrate their fragmented, worn character. To this end, weathered or reclaimed, locally sourced materials are selected to harmonise with the ruins’ display of time. The proposal installs a relationship between the old and the new, responding to the local community and environment. At once, the layered temporality of the Chiesa Diruta is preserved and enhanced.

Project