GHOST TOWN REFUGE
2020
Submission to Young Architects Competition
How can shelters be placed amongst the ruins of Craco, Italy, so that they build upon, and not detract from, its experience?
In the center of the ghost town, 8 shelters compose a “gallery loop,” and transform from private sleeping quarters into open galleries during the daytime. 3 suites are perched on the cliff off of the loop and offer a retreat with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. A shared Service center at the base of the cliff serves as a hub for all visitors, and references the urban history of Craco.
A new, raised lightweight metal walkway system allows visitors to explore areas of the ruins that could not be traversed before. The new walkways are stitched with the existing streets by continuous lighting. Programmatic interventions and amenities for guests are placed off of the “gallery loop” — and pair food, traditional music, and local coffee + wine with scenic rest spots.
The bed in each unit stows away to leave behind minimalist open volumes for all visitors to wander in to and experience.
Each shelter adapts to its siting—abstracting materiality, architectural features, views, and conditions of ruin unique to Craco.
Largo Alighieri, historically the first sequential urban plaza in the ascent to the original urban heart of Craco, is reimagined as the main service center for all visitors.
Salvaged rubble is used in the apartments to shroud the wet program. A large sliding skylight in the bathroom lets visitors take advantage of weather in nicer months with open air showers. The remainder of the units take advantage of the vast and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Families or couples looking for a retreat can enjoy the view from their private spa, or elevated deck off the bedroom.
