This project was created within the framework of the international architectural competition “Re-use the Fallen-church Chiesa Diruta, Grottole(Matera)” from the organizers of Re-Use Italy.
Chiesa Diruta is a catholic church built in Grottole (MT) in the 15th century, in order to host the local community of clergymen and to become one the most important churches of the bishopric. It suffered a lot of damages due to earthquakes, fires and building issues so it was soon abandoned. Participants of this competitions are asked to reuse this space as a Concert Hall.
The first certain information date back to 1508, when a preexisting parish church was turned into the new Church of St. Luca and St. Giuliano, and a community of clergymen established there. During the Sixteenth and Seventeenth century many interventions modified the aspect of the church, with the addiction of altars and decorations. At the end of the Seventeenth century an earthquake seriously damaged the church, that gradually collapsed during the following decades.
At the beginning of the Nineteenth century the church was completely abandoned and it started to be named after the vernacular expression ‘Chiesa Diruta’(The Fallen-church). In 1985 other collapses took place and the following years many restoration works were carried out to preserve the church, but nothing was made to reuse it.
The ruins of the Chiesa Diruta church impress with their beauty of proportion and materiality. The spirit of the place is felt here. Time has stopped here, and the moment becomes endless.
The concept of the project proposes the creation of a mesh structure from wooden slats that repeat the module with which the church was built. Thus, having harmony with the ruins. The wooden structure becomes the second skin for the church, protecting it by filling in the voids.
On the ground floor, at the entrance, there is a box office, a souvenir shop and a staircase to the second level. On the second level, the visitor is greeted by an open space, where, looking up, one can see the delightful vaults of the ruins of the Chiesa Diruta church. In front is the entrance to the main concert hall with an amphitheater and stage.
The hall can be used for various events: music concerts, theater performances, film screenings, and more. The stage is connected with the area for artists (dressing rooms, toilet, wardrobe). One of the transepts houses the lounge area, which is connected to the bar area, the entrance to the visitor toilets and the staircase leading to the administrator’s office.
The second transept contains spaces that can be used for lectures, master classes, workshops and more. The concept also proposes to create an observation deck at the top of the central part of the church, which will give access to amazing views of the vastness of the Grottole. In rooms where protection from precipitation is required, the wooden structure is covered with polycarbonate.
The introduction of a new function into the ruins of the Chiesa Diruta church will breathe a new life into it and give the residents of Grottola and its guests a new point of attraction.
