A project Modul 28
Location Curciu village, Sibiu county, RO
Year 2024
Program Church reuse
Area 120 sqm
Client Stiftung Kirchenburgen (The Fortified Churches Foundation)
Photography © Vlad Patru
Lavalle Peniche
A Process of Constant Evolution
MGGA
Reflective design, resilient practice
VOID STUDIO
Historical Roots in Contemporary Spaces
MANUFACTURA
Reclaiming Design Through
Heritage and Technology
WIDO
Democratising spaces
FMT
Ethical Spaces with Enriched Lives
Dosorozco
Handcrafted Harmony in Design
MOG+
Rural Essence Brought to Modern Design
Morari
Deliberate Design with Thoughtful Execution
Taller BAC
Native Landscapes
Practica Arquitectura
Creative Convergence in Practice
V Taller
Towards a harmonious practice
3 M E
Identity, Territory, Culture
GRADO
Learning from the local
MATERIA
Blending Integrity with Innovation
BARBAPIÑA Arquitectos
Designing for a sense of belonging
[labor_art:orium]
Architecture rooted in emotion, functionality,
and truth
OBVdS Workshops
Fostering a Dialogue-Driven Adaptability
HW Studio
Designing Spaces with Emotional Depth
MAstudio
Building Authentically, Impacting Lives
JDEstudio
Stories Behind the Structures
TAH
From Constraints
to Opportunities
Inca Hernandez
Shaping a Timeless
Future for Design
TORU Arquitectos
A dynamic duo
blending bold visions
Estudio AMA
Redefining Narrative
Driven spaces
NASO
Designing for Change
and Growth
RA!
Global Influences,
Localised Innovations
MRD
Embracing local context
and community
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The Adaptive Reuse program, aimed at fortified churches in Transylvania, broadly refers to adapting the annex constructions within the enclosures for contemporary functions.
The fortification is situated in an isolated area that tourists tend to avoid due to the absence of nearby accommodations.
The current context includes three annex buildings: a gate tower, a chapel, and a dwelling with two rooms, all of which currently lack a specific function. Only the church has been restored and is accessible to the public.
Modul 28's approach is rooted in a natural process.
The primary challenge was integrating the three Gothic windows of the polygonal apse of the chapel, which had suffered partial destruction.
After exploring various options, Modul 28 chose an approach that maintains the existing form while evoking the original appearance. They opted for a slim-profile frame that reconstructs the original window design, drawing on analogies from comparable examples.
Beyond decorative elements, historical value also resides in the type ofspace and its volume.
The cultural reactivation of the ensemble involves increasing visitor numbers, for which additional spaces will be necessary.
The proposal includes a pavilion-like structure made of wood, seamlessly integrated with the existing facade.
It fits contextually but stands out through contrast. Combining an orthogonal form with precise dimensions and a non-rigid elevation that reveals the construction elements, it contrasts with the austerity of medieval masonry architecture.
The outcome is a composition blending constructions of historical significance with elements of contemporary architecture, creating a deliberate contrast.
The initiative is based on the belief that turning heritage buildings into museums does not serve their long-term well-being, especially in the case of secondary importance constructions such as annexes.
"Reading" and comprehending the existing context, identifying valuable features, and focusing on elements that lend uniqueness to the project. The practice makes decisions about which insertions will seamlessly blend into the context and which will be highlighted through contrast.
These are aspects that Modul 28 aims to preserve, directly influencing their approach of enhancing space quality through non-invasive techniques.
The decision to add a temporary construction to the exterior arises from the desire not to alter the volume of the interior spaces.
The regeneration of the ensemble utilizes architectural strategies to accommodate new functional needs, aiming to reintegrate the ensemble into the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the area.
A project Modul 28
Location Curciu village, Sibiu county, RO
Year 2024
Program Church reuse
Area 120 sqm
Client Stiftung Kirchenburgen (The Fortified Churches Foundation)
Photography © Vlad Patru