Transformation of the former Colonia Alpina Dalmine Castione della Presolana, Italy
Master Project 2022/23 | Technical University of Munich | with Andjelija Bojanovic
Chair of Landscape Architecture and Transformation | Prof. Dr. sc. ETH Zürich Udo Weilacher
Counterpoint responds to the complex systems of the alpine landscape context, as well as the history of the surrounding Seriana Valley, the region, and the project site itself, with a proposal which serves both international and local users, supports a new function of global value, and makes a statement in regards to prioritizing personal perception of nature as well as provoking discussion around the continuing role of landmarks from the industrial era.
The site of the former Colonia Alpina Dalmine, a summer school for children of the Dalmine steel company workers, is situated in a prominent location in the Seriana Valley. Consequently, the historic structures which retain the strong presence of controlling industrial times into the 20th century dominate not only the site itself, but also the town below and the surrounding nature. This project brings into question the necessity of preserving such structures. It holds the position that not only advanced environmental research, but also deepened appreciation of and care for the existing natural landscape by the general public is necessary in order to successfully shift the human and nature relationship for a more sustainable future.
To support this claim, the design uses a method of juxtaposition between human made and organic elements to heighten users immediate connection with and awareness of a well known landscape and its defining qualities. Recognizing the privileged space such a use focused on experience takes, and simultaneously aiming to directly replace a landmark of industrial dominance with a function that places science in a prominent location within the mountain landscape, the project proposes an alpine climate research center as the new identity and economically driving core of the site’s next transformation.
Plan (with Andjelija Bojanovic)
