Reuse the Abby
proposal for a compitition Shimanto,
Sofia, Roahan
Reuse the Abby
re-thinking an abandoned church
Location: Italy
The Abbey of Santa Maria in Piano is located in the province of Rieti, Italy. The idea of the competition was how this abandoned place can be shifted to a meditation space. Our proposal reflects on the past history and present. Now it’s an abandoned place where we can see lots of shurbs and tree. Our proposal focuses on the abbey as a body with a soul. The walls of the ruins stand proud as the old bones carry their weight. The wild shrubs and plants as the lungs that breathe in the fresh air, and the activities taking place create the soul, which lives through its memories of old days.
Our project preserves the abbey through three key approaches: extrospection enhancing the structure with outward facing interventions; introspection creating serene spaces for meditation; and reflection bridging past, present, and future, while safeguarding nature and historic architecture for new purposes. The design balances harmony and contrast, using white concrete with weathered stone, glass roofing to softly filter light, and concrete steel to distinguish the old from the new. By embracing its layered soul, the project creates a timeless sanctuary, where looking back becomes the key to moving forward.
Competition project, (Shimanto, Sofia, Roahan)
Extrospection through intervention
Past Spirituality
Reflection through nature
Introspection through programming
Present Nature
Future Meditation & performing art
