14-09-2015

No to an open-air museum but yes to hands-on reclamation: UPDATE#05

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No to an open-air museum but yes to hands-on reclamation: UPDATE#05 The architectural studio sa.und.sa continues its redevelopment work in Irpinia with appropriate examples of active self-building architecture. UPDATE#05 is the third in a series of workshops in the area focusing on construction reclamation for the benefit of the community. 



“Funtana Abascio” is the historical fountain in the town of Altavilla Irpina, in Campania, which dates back to the XII century. Once the meeting place for the local community, also because the women gathered here to do the washing, nowadays it had risked losing its urban heritage status due to its suburban position in respect to the inner city and the radical change in customs. Following a participatory process where the inhabitants were able to express their ideas regarding the future of the fountain, the architectural studio sa.und.sa created workshop UPDATE#05 under the direction of architects Sara Omassi and Salvatore Carbone, appointed by the local municipality.





This meant an opportunity for active updating of this peri-urban area which is also linked to the interesting history of the town and is included in the historical path used by San Bernardino from Siena in the Middle Ages.





sa.und.sa architetti proposed perceptive interventions for UPDATE#05 such as, restyling the historical fountain and canal system for the water with an overspill basin, renovating the canal beds and adding metal sides along the watercourse. The antique paving allows a glimpse into the past though without making it seem like an open-air museum.
In fact, the risk of turning it into a museum was not only prevented by the active involvement of the citizens during the design and decision-making procedures but also by the kind of work undertaken favouring the interaction of the fountain with its surroundings and its reclamation on behalf of the town.





Once again, through UPDATE#05 at Altavilla Irpina, the sa.und.sa architects have shown that if the historical memory of a place has to be conserved then the secret is to make it be used and perceived as essential to the community and, if possible, emphasise the natural beauty of the landscape. 

Christiane Bürklein

Project and workshop direction: sa.und.sa architetti
Client: Altavilla Irpina Municipality
Workshop participants: Giuseppe Beatrice, Gaetano Boccia, Chiara Borghi, Giulia Cerrato, Enrico Corvi, Gianluca De Pascale, Enrica De Pasquale, Matteo De Rossi, Beatrice Finocchiaro, Federica Fuligni, Lorenzo Grieco, Raffaele Ianni, Elia Lo Porto, Maria Minic, Daniela Palomba, Maria Benedetta Polcari, Maddalena Pornaro, Martina Russo, Michela Tiddia, Federico Tomasoni, Anna Zedde 
Photography: Fabio Cappello, sa.und.sa, Federico Tomasoni, Francesca Paola Milione
Video: PDR Photographer - Piermaria di Rauso 

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