Conversia ansamblului bisericii fortificate din Apold - Beta Competition
Graduation projects

The conversion of the fortified church of Apold

Project description

Fortified churches abound in values and qualities, but the most significant are the way that they imposed themselves in the context, shaping the landscape in which they are located and their ability to reflect almost entirely the identity of the community that built it. Thus, they contribute to the definition of a certain unique cultural landscape in the European space, which evokes the charm of former times. But, due to social changes, many of the church buildings in Europe and not only in Europe, can no longer be used or maintained by the religious institutions. Thus, they end up being sold, rented, reused or their destination is changed by the new owners, often affecting the community's perception of what the respective building or church represented in the past. In the current contemporary context, it becomes necessary to redefine concepts such as: sacred, profane, spirituality, ritual, sacred ritual and above all to redefine the role of the church and spirituality in a changing society. It is therefore important to ask the question: how can the process of changing or reusing such buildings be valued for the community? Thus, the proposed solution addresses this issue and proposes an approach to the entire complex of the fortified Church of Apold, that through re-use methods would turn the place in a rural regeneration center that would create a link with the village community. The result of the possible implementation of the project will materialize through the creation of a multifunctional educational and cultural center, as a pole of attraction for the organization of training and training activities, workshops, conferences, seminars, research, exhibitions, after-school, cultural events and promoting local traditions and customs, summer schools, educational activities for disadvantaged people and other social integration activities.

Author's presentation text

Diana Lucaciu is a young architect, a graduate of the Timișoara Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism. From the first year of college, she showed enthusiasm and dedication towards what heritage means, as shown by her involvement in the multiple summer schools attended with the theme of restoration/conservation as well as in the involvement in the national Ambulance for Monuments project. She was also involved in several organizational projects during college years: general secretary of the "Association from 4 - Association of Architect Students" and co-organizer of the Annual Competition of Architect Students - C|A|S|A.