The Tower on Ruins

About The Entry

Torre Rinalda, named after a tower built in the 16th century in Italy, was designed to protect the area from Saracen attacks. The tower is part of a defensive system that covers the coastline of Puglia, and similar towers from the same period can be seen in the area. We have transformed this location into a restored landmark and established a new public gathering space, bringing new life to these medieval walls. The tower is composed of two unique spaces: the lower part, made of rough stone, connected to the earth, and the upper part, a bird-watching tower that is light and transparent. The tower features a cantilevered lightweight steel structure and a white lattice grid. The design offers an experience from the earth to the sky, a dialogue between lightness and heaviness, and light and darkness. At an architectural scale, the design includes two completely different spaces: the lower box enveloped in the earth, dark and heavy, connected to the ground. This space is made of rough stone, contrasting with the delicate artificial structure, providing a space for contemplation and natural light display. The upper part is a bird-watching tower, light and transparent, with a cantilevered lightweight steel structure, steel stairs, and white lattice grid, aimed at blurring the boundary between humans and the sky. The columnar structure of the white lattice grid also provides nesting places for birds. The tower is connected to the road by a wooden deck, with light poles and platforms for bird resting. Wooden platforms around the tower serve as gathering places for people. At a large scale, the tower uses lattice components to attract birds. Adjacent towers are interconnected through bird flight routes. Additionally, at night, the upper part of the tower lights up, becoming a new landmark.