I N H A B I T I N G T H E
R E M O T E N E S S
Proposals of redevelopment for a forgotten l andscape of transhumance .
I
Analysis
CONT THE CINQUE TERR
The Cinque Terre National Park
In numbers The Park’s extension is 3.860 hectars The population is approximately 4000 inhabitants Main settlements: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso The municipalities involved are: Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso, Levanto (Mesco area), La Spezia (Biassa-Tramonti area) Visitors: 3 millions per year (4th touristic attraction in Italy)
T E XT: E N AT I O N A L PA R K
Emilia Romagna
Liguria
Tuscany
Monterosso Vernazza Corniglia Manarola
La Spezia
Riomaggiore
Portovenere Isola Palmaria
N AT U R A L L
Monterosso
La Spezia
Riomaggiore
Portovenere Protected marine environment Protected area
LANDSCAPE
Monterosso
La Spezia
Riomaggiore
Portovenere Mediterranean shrubbery cover
Monterosso
La Spezia
Riomaggiore
Portovenere
Cultivations cover
THE SETT
Coastal settlement
Hillside settlement
LEMENTS
Cluster structure
row houses structure
RURAL
AREAS
CONNEC
By train
The 5-minute walk: also called “pedestrian shed”, is the distance people are willing to walk before opting to drive. Based on the average walking speed, it is represented by a radius of 400 m (slope may reduce it).
Reaching times from La Spezia
Riomaggiore Manarola Corniglia
11 min Local transit
16 min
Walking
24 min
Vernazza
30 min
Monterosso
33 min
Fossola
35 min
Schiara
75 min
Monesteroli
110 min
<60’
<30’
>60’
<60’
CTIONS
8’
5’
Riomaggiore
La Spezia 14’
train line train station 15 minutes walk
Manarola 18’
Vernazza
Corniglia
11’
23’
Monterosso
INTER NAL D
Steepness
Very steep Not steep
Steep
Very steep
Touristic offer/demand
Touristic
Touristic
Not touristic
D I S PA R I T I E S
land steepness class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
<300 Monterosso 229 Vernazza
166 Corniglia
204 Manarola <300 Riomaggiore
9 Fossola 1 Monesteroli 8 Campiglia 6 Schiara
166 Portovenere
steepest
THE WEA
weak spot
Economic base: then
Fishing
Farming
Economic base: now
Tourist services
?
AK SPOT
0
500 m
1000 m
TRAMONTI (TR
Winter side
cre
st
Summer side
Grain, vegetables, chestnuts production
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Grape-wine production
Depopulation
Abandonment
0
RANS - MONTES)
500 m
1000 m
Biassa
Fossola
Monesteroli
Schiara
ABANDO
Phones recorded on weekends
6 am
9 am
12 am
3 pm
6 pm
9 pm
12 pm
3 am
3 pm
6 pm
9 pm
12 pm
3 am
Phones recorded on week days
6 am
9 am
12 am
ONMENT
Fossola: 7-8 inhabitants
Campiglia: 132 inhabitants
Monesteroli: 0-1 inhabitants
Schiara: 7-8 inhabitants Car path Trekking path
0
10 m
20 m
Path and un
Path and junctions - - - - - To La Spezia
Public parking
- To Biassa
- - - - To Riomaggiore - To Fossola
536 il Tra
4B T rail
536
il Tra
- To Monesteroli
4B
Tra il - To Schiara - - - To Portovenere
4B Trail
Private road
Is an unpaved path that connects Portovenere to Riomaggiore and extends the famous "Via dell'Amore", that links Riomaggiore with Monterosso. It crosses the hillside at half height and passes through Schiara and Fossola. For a small part, it intersects with the 536 trail.
The first part of the trail takes place over a tigh leave the car right before Santâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Antonio church a small parking lot can host a couple of cars. Th allowing them to get closer to Schiara or to ac ing to Monesteroli can only save about 10 min sided by any road because of its natural feature
536 Trail Is a sandstone staircase that connects Monte Madonna Pass with Monesteroli. It is shorter and steeper, since in crosses the hillside vertically.
0
npaved road
ht, unpaved road. Usually a visitor would h, on top of Monte Madonna pass, where The unpaved road can be used by residents, ccess the monorail. Nonetheless, people headnutes of the long staircase, which cannot be es.
200 m
Monorail
Existing railroad Dismissed zipline
Monorail The monorail is accessible by car. It runs above small iron poles, right above the mediterranean shrubs, allowing farmers to reach their fields and to transport their products. At the end of the path, a rusty Vespa scooter transformed into a miniature locomotive is still visible. It used to drag small wagons around the trail.
Zipline The zipline is dismissed and only its supporting structure is still standing. It used to begin at the end of the monorail. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end is now impossible to spot.
II
Proposals
PA R T I C I PAT E F E A S
Multiactors scenario
willing to move back
Inhabitants
not willing to move back - give up the request of environmental equalization - realization of landscape interventions - improvement of the site connections
Municipality
Park authority
- approval of the interventions - supervision of its realization - monitoring the respect of the agreement
Tourists
- acceptance of the common agreement
Agreement
willing to move back
Inhabitants
not willing to move back
Tourists
- rent of houses - participation in the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maintenance in exchange of a lowe - participation in workshops and formative activities - smartworking
I B I L I T Y S T R AT E G Y
role of landlords
- welcoming and assistance of tourists - organization of workshops and trekkings - care of vineyards - basic maintenance of common spaces - management of the houses for lease
Summer
- smartworking - care of wine production
Winter
- lease of houses to tourists Summer
ered rent fee
return to the village as keepers
- creation of a local association - renovation of their houses - signature of common agreement
- rent income to be shared among parts
Winter
New transhumances What do humans need?
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
MASTE
LEGEND existing buildings
LEGEND
historical stairs
existing buildings
terretorial connections local connections exisring monorail
terretorial connections local connections Crumbling landscapes
existing cultivable lands
Interventions
historical stairs
exisring monorail
What does the landscape need?
stablizing unsteady slopes LEGEND maintainance of the path existing buildings extension of the monorail historical stairs docking system terretorial connections renovation of the terraces local connections exisring monorail renovation of Monesteroli buildings existing cultivable lands buildings renovation of scattered new landscape interventions
existing cultivable lands
Interventions stablizing unsteady slopes maintainance of the path extension of the monorail docking system renovationofofcultivations the terraces expansion renovation of Monesteroli buildings
Interventions
renovation of scattered buildings
stablizing unsteady slopes
new landscape interventions
RPLAN
0
50 m
100 m
Interventions as open rooms - ritual path
Interpretation of oral myths
Vernacular elements - temporary/multiple use - fraagile backbone
INTERVE Mirrors: The spot is lifted over the ground and enclosed up to the height of the head of a sitting man. This allows trekkers to rest and have a snack feeling protected from the wood. Entering across the portal is part of the ritual aiming to change the spatial perception of users.
During winter, the forest is more open and the sea is partly visible. When sitting inside, a cut allows people to see the sea in the direction of Monesteroli, directly or by means of a mirror. Plays of lights, variable based on days and seasons, are also connected with the mystic beliefs rooted in the site
B
Astrology: Since the site was considered a gathering spot for witches, a pole is erected near the platform; its top is covered with chimes that were considered helpful to keep witches away. The pole is aligned with the prehistoric menhir and Corsica island, that was believed to be the island of the blessed to which the stone was originally pointing at. The pole is also located to be enlightened by the very last sun rays cutting through the platform's window before Valpurna night, when traditions say that a bridge between living and deads opens up and witches celebrate Sabba on that spot. Doing so, light reflects over the metal chimes and jumps over the meadow.
Spot 1: Stone
A
0
ENTIONS
1m
2m
Crossroad: The spot is located at the intersection between the path heading to Schiara, the staircase to Monesteroli and the road that heads to the pass. The intervention, with its 3 openings towards the three villages, reflects this feature. Superstition: 3 is a lucky number for all the cultures that inhabited the area and associated the spot with mystic beliefs; number 3 recurs in the poles, in the walls, in the openings.
B
Posa grande: The "posa grande" was a stone bench high enough for inhabitants to lift their loads. It was marking the act of reaching the top of the steep hill and the beginning of the flat road of the pass. Another hour of walk was separating them from Biassa, the final destination of their trip.
A
Menhir: The "devil stone" is a pre-historical obelisk, part of 4 elements located in the area, that were workshipped and used for rituals. Local inhabitants, in the last centuries, were considering it as diabolic, and placed an iron cross on top of it; their superstitions included both Christian and Pagan rituals. In particular days of the year, its shape projects a light over the wall in front of it that was considered mystical.
If you are coming from Monesteroli, this spot is a bliss. After sun and cliffs and bushes and a thousand of steps, you made it to the pass. If it is sunny, the path is now protected by the tree.; if it’s rainy, someone dig a tiny shelter inside the hillside. A peril is there too though. A pre-historical monolith is overlooking the path, dark and mysterious. Maybe a sign of the devil? Better safe than sorry, they once decided to place a metal cross over it. Not sure whether it’s enough to avert the devil? Old people may have the answer. Here, among the tall trees of the pass, superstition, pagan rituals and Christian devotion meet mystic beliefs. For gen those a tl y s r hak riving f es th rom e ta ll tre Schiar es, d a, the urin s g w un is b inte e r, th hind y o e se a is v ur bac isibl k. Th e ac e ross oak h the olm bare fore bran st sh che ades s. Lo you oks r way like , a ni until th ce p lace e mead o for a sto w of th p... e “p osa ” sh ows up, une xpe cted . Du ring sum mer , the bree ze
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The crossroad was once hit by most of the residents of Tramonti coast. Coming from Biassa, people owning fields and houses in Monesteroli and Schiara were sharing the path until the crossroad, right after the pass. There, they used to sit on the posa to take a short break; men could finally lay down their "cavagne" and women could take the "panea" off their heads and stretch their necks. Then, they would lift their loads again, hitting the trail and then parting for the two different directions: Schiara and Monesteroli. During the moths spent by the coast, kids were grouping up each morning before the sunrise and leave together to reach the school. By the crossroad the groups coming from different villages were walking together until Biassa and then each evening they were coming back along the same road. the crossroad
The devil stone is a 2,5m high menhir that was used since the Bronze age as an astronomical site, counting 3 different megaliths, worshipped during religious rituals. It stands, mysterious, at the center of a wide meadow. During winter solstice, at the sunset, its shadow drops in the middle of the "posa grande"; it is a place where pre-historical, pagan and Christian beliefs get in touch. People used to say that this spot marked the border between living and dead: the stone is the perch where souls were stopping before reaching the island of the blessed, appearing and disappearing by the horizon: Corsica island [Capra, 2020]1. In more recent times, the stone was thought to be diabolic; travellers frequently reported visions of strange figures, voices, fluctuating lights, mysterious fires and gatherings of witches celebrating Sabba. the devil
For this reason, inhabitants have always found ways to protect themselves from the devil eye. Kids were equipped with a small necklace made of a garlic clove into a canvas bag. This could protect them from the "strĂŹe" (witches) and the devil eye. They placed a metal cross on top of the menhir, together with many other ritual spots where people were stopping along the way to pray, to keep the devil far. People have longly believed that witches were meeting there to celebrate the Sabba. During Valpurna night, on April 30, a bridge between living and dead was opening up; and which place was more scary than that one for the occasion? People were performing rituals such as crack the whip, ring bells and chimes, carving magic sticks with walnut branches and lighting protective fires to keep spirits away. amulet
0
1m
2m
A-A
B-B
Chimes hit by sunset rays before Valpurna night
Chimes
April 30: sunset light
Alignments
Chimes, menhir and Corsica island alignment, late afternoon, summertime
Burner: Burning dry shrubbery is not easy on the site, but it is a primary need connected with taking care of the vineyards. Providing a safe place to do so in safety allows to minimize the risks and creates a chance for a social activity.
A
Gutter: A gutter lets the ashes flow away during rainy days; the ashes are spread in the field right below the burner, which is now wild; they can act as a fertilizer and maybe stimulate the cultivation of that area as well. Benches: Simple benches and rocks allow farmers to meet and eventually to have dinner together over the ashes of the burning shrubbery.
B
Backrests: Two triangular elements are integrated in the platform: people can sit on top of them or on the ground and lay their back over them, looking both the burner and the sea. Festivities: The northern backrest features a cut in the middle: the line is facing the sunset position on June 24, S. Giovanni Battista ,a local festival when they used to light fires. The line of the gutter marks the West direction, which is the closer to the sea. Besides for being the position of the sunset during the equinoxes, on September 12 it reminds of the celebration of San Venerio, the heremit saint protecting sailors by lighting fires as lighthouses. The Southern bench begins in the direction of the sunset on October 2, a pagan celebration marking the end of grape harvest: it was a festive day marking the beginning of some months of prosperity. Signals: Farmers though are not sailors. For them, more than the position of the land, is fundamental to know the weather. The pole facing West is connected with a small wind turbine and a barometer; when the pressure drops, a storm is on the way. The barometer transmit a signal to the turbine which uses the energy to turn on a small light. Farmers can look for a shelter.
Spot 2: Fire
A
0
B
1m
2m
Sundial: A metal plate is protecting the firepit from Northern wind; it reinterpretates the "Stone of the Deserter, that was located in the area, and that used to provide shelter to people escaping from the war by hiding them in a small cave at its base. The metal plate hosts a meridian that indicates the farmer the phase of the day.
Alignments: The two backrests face the sunset in the whole range between winter solstice and summer solstice and vice versa. The entrance portal is located South, in a way that at midday, at any day of the year, its shadow hits the burner, warning farmers that it is time for lunch.
Monorail: Connecting vineyards to the burner is fundamental to ensure its use. For this reason, the monorail is provided with a stop and a loading place right next to the burner, making it easy to transport the shrubbery to the site.
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After the grape harvesting, people were cleaning up the fields, piling up shrubbery and burn it. During spring, when grass and brambles grow fast, farmers constantly have to keep the grape trees free from the weeds and the terraces are lit by many small fires. In July, back in Biassa, it was time to harvest the wheat; women, inside their yards, were beating the wheat with sticks, separating the edible part from impurities. The process was culminating on June 24th, on S. Giovanni Battista: huge fires were lightened in each yard (Ă a). For days boys were roaming around to collect as much wood as possible to enhance the fires, competing on who could get the bigger fire. It was a festive day, where people were chilling by the fire and enjoying the end of a cycle until late night. fire
Working in the fields is a cyclical process. Year after year, men follow nature processes and times. If technology seems to be close to take over these cycles, this is far from happening here. People are working the land with similar tools and analogue techniques. They wake up early in the morning and reach the fields mainly walking, with their tools over their shoulders. Once there, there is no electricity, no sound of engines; they work as they used to do. Some things got lost though. Once, women were reaching men with a "panea" over their head with a bowl of stockfish or codfish and potatoes, together with some vegetables, bread and wine. They were sharing the bowl and the wine, drinking from the same bottle. The time for a break was not announced by anything but the shadows over walls and trees: a rudimentary sundial. sundial
When walking down from the pass, along the stairway reaching Monesteroli, there is an area where the slope is smooth and the holm oak forest opens up: that area has longly been cultivated, and the grape produced there was known for being good. That area is called "Rebui", and is followed by the "Costa dei Pozai". There, the view finally opens up and the sea gets visible. Looking South, among the bushes, Tino islands gets visible. During the night, its rhythmic ray of light reveals its presence by means of a lighthouse, first founded by San Venerio the Heremit, over 1400 years ago: he used to light fires to warn sailors in the nights without moon. The island is now a military zone, only accessible to the public only on September 13, the day of San Venerio.
lighthouse
0
1m
2m
A-A
B-B
Farmers about to set the shrubberies on fire; late afternoon of October 2, end of grape harvesting season
Farmers chilling during a summer night
Barometer warning farmers of the upcoming storm
Drying herbs: Traditionally, women were following men in the fields bringing with them a "panea" a bowl containing lunch and dinner. During the day, they were helping cultivating the vineyards or collecting herbs and flowers, that they were drying and using or selling at the market in La Spezia. Many frames are still used to dry herbs, and this spot, being located on a slope where only the strongest aromatic plants can grow and hit by an harsh sun, is used for this purpose. This enhances the aromas already present on the site.
Preventing landslides: The creation of new terraces helps consolidating the hillside in a particularly fragile and vital spot.
A
Collecting waters: A pool allows to collect rainwater and supports the cultivations of the house below this location.
Terraces: The area is the most affected by landslides and collapsing drystone walls. The location of the intervention gives a chance to intervene on the issue by reconstructing containment walls, that can once again prevent further landslides.
B
A
Spot 3: Water
0
B
1m
2m
Herbs: The area is not cultivable because of its steepness and the rocky ground but it is rich of spontaneous aromatic herbs. The intervention provides drying racks protected from the rain but well exposed to the sun, and ventilated, to let herbs dry preventing mould. The herbs enhance the smells of the Mediterranean bush and create a suggestive space.
The healer: The location is right after the steepest part, completely burner by the sun, almost half way along the stair. The decision to provide trekkers with a source of water is linked to this feature: the fountain is here as a sort of healer that reliefs trekkers and give them the strength so keep on walking.
Water collection: The area is paved in stone and the rain water falling onto it can easily be collected in a pool. Also the water from the fountain can increment the basin. During the late hours of the evening the water reflects the light of the sun and projects it against the hanging herbs. Re-vegetation: The wind, passing across the herbs, causes them to lose their seeds. When the rainwater washes the surface of the terraces and gets collected inside the basin, the seeds get collected too. Once the water is poured out of the pool, because it reached its maximum capacity or because of a human intervention, the water rich of seeds can stimulate the growth of more aromatic herbs in a zone where there is currently not much vegetation.
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ssssh c i o b r i n g s t h e ro a r o Where w libec f t h e w av h h h h h h h h h h ater is rare, hum es and h a n s c o l l e c t i t g r e e d i l y. I t f a l l s a n d j u m p s o v e r r o o f s a n d g qui ck m h h h h h h h h u t t e r s , fi l l i n g w ell s a n d b a r r e l s hhhhh ov ing ga les. c loud s cr wh h h h o d byhtheh hhor izon and sl ap t he unprepared s a i lors . h e r bs hang i n g upside dow n s h a k e i n t h e a i r a n d w a t e r s t ea l s t h e r s e e d s .
ind blo ws and the air moves the smel clouds ly bushes, here gent run fas l y, t h e re t across h a r s h l y. h t h e s k y. t h elichr ysiu e Cloud s c rowd up unexp ected m , t h y m e , r o breeze is s a lt y and gentle ; rain starts h s e m a r y, s a g e , d i l l . . . a l l c o m e u p to y o u r n o s e .b e f o re t h e s to r m . itting the fi e l d s . Pe o p le r un in their shelters and hop e for some more.
up above the coa
Herbs where often collected by women and left in the "pozze", hanging upside down, to dry. They were also collecting flowers and plants to sell them at La Spezia's market; they were leaving early in the morning with baskets full of asparagine ("spargae"), daffodils, wallflowers (“fiùi barchi”), dried branches of arbutus ("armotùu"), fern, holly and ruscus, before coming back to the fields and collect some more herbs for the day after. The drying process was fundamental to ensure food to last enough to harvest some more the year after. Grape itself was placed on top of the roofs of Monesteroli to dry before squishing and get wine out of it; this way, wine was getting particularly strong. Beans and chestnuts were also dried, together with pine cones, rosemary, thyme, dill. herbs
Once, the hospital was far away and people, sure that their sickness was due to the devil eye, were more often asking a healer, a good "strìa" (witch), to take care of them. Healers were women that, because of some details of their past or bodies, became "expert" in curing specific diseases, with methods handed down through generations. To break the spell, they were placing a bowl of water over the head of the patient and dropping some oil in it, then they were checking out how the oil was expanding and saying a witchcraft. Then, the healing technique depended on the disease and always involved a ritual, performed in specific locations by means of specific tools, helped by special herbs. Such remedies included garlic and the rue, wild camomile, a seaweed called "culaina", vinagre and many others. healer
Along the path, several small chapels were placed in spots where trekkers could stop, take a rest and pray. Some places had some functions associated with them, such as providing water or benches; some others were positioned in locations were special events took place or where people felt the need to be protected by praying; they could provide both psychological and physical relief. Most of these places of workshipping are still intact and testify an evolution of techniques, rituals and beliefs, from prehistorical to Christians.
chapels -
0
1m
2m
A-A
Trekker approaching the fountain, spring sunset
0
1m
2m
B-B
Rain washes the platforms below the chapel, collecting seeds
Ropes: If originally the hamlet was the place of exchange for material goods, the relational dynamics taking place nowadays are more complex. Few inhabitant still do the summer transhumance to Monesteroli, the pozze are empty. The site is mainly used by the trekkers. New kinds of exchanges, implying non physical goods, but bonds and talks. Having an activity to carry on together, a place to gather and spend some time together.
Signals: Stones hanging from ropes connect the observer with the landscape. Some stones guide the view towards the islands that are always visible: Tino, Palmaria, Ferale. Some stone suggest the presence of other islands, far over the horizon, that appear and disappear according to the athmospheric conditions: Gorgona, Capraia, Corsica islands.
Consolidating landscapes: The presence of new terraces makes the hillside more stable. But consolidation implies something more. . The stone pavement allows water to collect in a single small pond, where a tree can grow, stretching its roots in the ground. The layout of ropes and places changes according to the growth of the tree. The activities done together consolidate human relations.
Spot 4: Ropes
0
1m
2m
Exchange place: Man activities are mainly individual, but their purpose implies exchange and share. Doing something together, like weaving a hammock or a basket as they used to do, brings people together. On the ancient place of bargain of grape for fish, a new kind of good, immaterial, can be shared among different people.
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People from Tramonti were not good fishermen; they were mainly cultivating the land and mining. On the other hand, inhabitants of Riomaggiore and Portovenere were much more skilled and they were fishing in the sea in front of Tramonti coast. Being in a competitive position towards people from Riomaggiore, that also produced wine, Tramonti inhabitants were throwing rocks at their boats to disturb them; on the other hand, they had a good relationship with people from Portovenere. These were often stopping their boats by the coast and climbing up to the village with their fishes, which they were exchanging for bread, grape, wine and other products of the land. Monesteroli was a perfect location for the task, being so close to the sea.
the exchange
The hills overlooking the coast were rich of defensive forts and watchtowers. The place in fact is strategic to defend the city, facing the open sea. The villages themselves were threatened by the Saracen raids. Loopholes were checking out the sea and making sure no enemy ship was approaching. In case of danger, they were ready to send a warning signal. Now, no enemy is crossing the sea, and many fortresses were abandoned. Some are still standing, and their walls without a roof still feature vertical cuts opened towards the sea. Still, there are many things to look at behind those walls. Over the horizon, the silhouette of the islands (Gorgona, Capraia, Corsica) appears and disappears according to the weather.
avvistamento
Inhabitants of Tramonti were living an harsh life, moving seasonally from one village to the other, in a strange transhumance without livestock. In winters they were living together in Biassa, in summer they were splitting in the three villages of the coast. During the day, there were few chances to stop and rest, besides for lunch, when they were eating together and heading back to work. After a long day in the fields, they were meeting in the yards of Biassa houses or in the "pozze" of Tramonti. They were sharing something to eat and drink and telling stories to the children laying on a pile of drying shrubs before going to sleep. Sometimes, Their idea of "neighbourhood" must have been a rather flexible one, but with the few entertainment available, life was meant to be inside a community. the break
Phase 1
0
Phase 2
1m
2m
Inhabitants reach the pozza in a summer night, early phase
Girl chilling in a summer afternoon, early phase
Twilight in the pozza, late phase
Landing: Life in Monesteroli is possible if the site can be provided with a more stable connection. Creating a pier can guarantee a safe access. The first part of the pier is stable and shaped from the rocks of the shore; the second part is floating and subjected to the sea's instabilities and can eventually be removed during winters.
Landscape amplifiers: The end of the pier is equipped with landscape amplifiers, that may enhance sounds or zoom the view over a detail of the coast.
Spot 5: Sea
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Bells: A rope full of bells is tied between the fixed and the floating segments of the pier. When a reciprocal movement takes place, it is recorded by the rope. The bells start ringing, almost warning the observer.
Mirror: Fishermen were using a particular tool that would allow them to have an unexpected, clear view of the deep sea. The mirror at the base of the pier allows to see an equally unexpected view: a fragment of sea or sky among the rocks.
the sea is clean and deep. bare
waves
rocks
keep breaking
above,
it does not fear
against the
the village awaits in the sun. anymore
its ancient perils. far from being a friend the sea was
rather
seen
with diffidence;
down by the horizon the saracen vessel approach. quick!
let's hide the gold!
dig
let's hide the bells!
deep deep down and hide them. but
it does not stop
the saracen ship. gold was lost and bells were lost too. when the storm
hits the waves on the cliffs
reach
the first houses
you
and the salty winds
may still hear the bells.
A common signal to warn about the arrival of enemies was the ring of the church bells. Churches were often located in a strategic position. Local stories say that one day the inhabitants of Volastra, a small town near Riomaggiore, spotted a Saracen vassel by the horizon. Aware of the danger, they decided to hide everything precious they had: they dig a hole and placed jewels and the church bells inside it. This, unfortunately, did not keep the pirates from attacking and destroying the village. They were unable to spot the treasure; however, inhabitants were not much luckier: they also lost memory of where the gold was buried. This memory still haunts them; during stormy nights, they say it is still possible to hear the bells ringing distantly. bells
Farmers were leaving early in the morning and reach the fields quite far from home. In the area, so exposed to the open sea and characterized by relevant differences in height, the weather was changing fast. People did not have much time to run back to their homes before violent thunderstorms would pour rain over the hillside and agitate the sea. For this reason, they learned to read some signs that could suggest them that a thunderstorm was approaching. "Se il parodi mette il cappello, molla la zappa e prendi l'ombrello", (when Parodi mountain wear its hat, lay the hoe and take the umbrella) old people still say when they notice clouds hiding the top of Parodi mountain.
weather forecast
People from Biassa were farmers and miners; accessing the sea was not easy and fishing was not in their culture. Their way to fish was to drop some TNT, which they largely used in quarries, to kill fishes, but this technique was extremely dangerous. Before throwing the bomb in the sea, they were checking out the bottom of the sea with a special tool to spot the presence of fishes: they were calling it "o specio", which is a glass panel connected with a rope. This way the surface was cleared of reflections and the rocks below the boat were sharp and clear.
o specio
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elevation
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Mirror at the end of the stair reflecting the landscape
Connection among stone pier and wooden pier
Megaphones/lenses at the end of the pier
BUILDING: KE
Keepers' home
EEPERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; HOME
pozza on the second floor
interior view of the second floor
BUILDING:
- Analysis of the state of the art - Materials Mapping - Analysis of decays and interventions - Design of systems (solar, hydraulic, thermal)
: A N A LY S I S
INTERIORS
Seasonality
Materials
Transforming elements
S T R AT E G Y
Light and views
Self construction
Autonomous systems
Transhumant interiors Materials were chosen for being easy to transport on site and assembled, natural looking, light in color and rather cheap. Moreover, chosen materials can be assembled as dry, without implying an irreversible modification of the building. cane and rattan tissue plywood tiles gres milk of lime mortar
MAP OF SEASO
- cucinare - dormire
stable cores - downstairs - upstairs
Summer
- condividere - meriggiare - ospitare
centered downstairs
tra ns hu m an ce
Year
Winter
- conservare - lavorare - svernare
centered upstairs
ONAL R IT UALS
work warm up
host chill sleep
store
store cook
chill
share
core ritual seasonal rituals
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Kitchen-stair system
Sum
Win
mmer
nter
CucinĂ re cucinare v. tr. [lat. *cocinare, variation of coquinare; v. cucina]. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1. To prepare and cook food
Yearly ritual
Entrance system
Sum
Win
Condivìdere condividere v. tr. [composed of con (with)- and dividere (divide)]. – Divide, share together with others. Also to have something in common with others: the apartment; more often figurate: I totally share your opinion; they share the passion for the mountains.
mmer
nter
Conservàre conserarvare v. tr. [lat. conservare, composed of con (with)- and servare «serbare, custodire, mantenere» (to preserve, to keep)]. – 1. a. To keep something in a way it will last, to avoid ruining it. b. To preserve an object in order to avoid its loss, tear and dispersion.
Bed-storage system
Summe
Winter
Dormìre dormire v. intr. [lat. dŏrmire] (io dòrmo, ecc.; aus. avere). – 1. To rest with sleep, to be in a state of sleep. [...] In some phrases, mainly composed with the preposition and the infinite form, indicated the room, the bed where someone can rest: dar da dormire (to give a place to sleep); cercare da dormire (to look for a place to sleep); non ho trovato da dormire in nessun posto (I could not find a place to sleep).
Yearly ritual
er
r
Svernàre svernare v. intr. [der. di verno, with prefix. s-. – 1. a. As pronoun intransitive, svernarsi, to exit the winter. b. To get at the end of the winter or to overcome it. 2. To spend the winter in a specific place or in a specific condition. For military, to move in the winter base to better stand the cold weather. In particular, in biology, refers to anumals or sprouts that spend the winter in a state of reduced activity or inactivity.
Table-stair system
Summe
Winter
er
r
Lavoràre lavorare v. intr./tr. [lat. labōrare, deriving from labor -oris «fatica, lavoro» (strain, job)]. – 1. Operate, using physical or mental resources, in carrying out a job, a profession, an art. b. Defining the kind of profession. [....] 4. To operate over a specific matter to give it the desired shape.
OspitĂ re ospitare v. tr. [late latin hospitare]. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1. a. To welcome and keep someone in your house, providing meals, a bed and help, both for friends, relatives and strangers, paid or for free. In relation with the accommodation itself: the house that hosts us; or the site, location or nation different from our own that welcomes us. b. More generally, to have someone as a guest. [...] c. 2. With figurative meaning, to contain, to preserve. â&#x2014;&#x2020; Pres. part. ospitante (hosting), also as adjective: the hosting family/city and noun, the host.
rest
activities
Meriggiàre meriggiare v. intr. [lat. merīdiare, derived from meridies «meriggio»] – 1. a. Stay at rest, outdoor and in a shady spot, in the warm hours of the afternoon [...] can be used with a spiritual meaning. b. Used as transitive: to meriggiare the livestock, to keep it at rest in the shadows protected from the heat of the afternoon. 2. not common. To rest at home, during the same house; to have a rest after lunch.
activities chill
Thank you