An ancient convent located on the French island of Corsica receives a facelift thanks to the architectural genius of the design firm Amelia Tavella Architectes.
The Saint-Francois Convent was built in 1480 and sits atop a hill that overlooks the local village and surrounding mountainscape. Amelia Tavella Architectes was commissioned to add an extension that adjoined the preserved structure with the falling ruins. In response to the site, the architects have designed a building completely clad in perforated copper that attaches itself to the original building. The old and new structures connect harmoniously together and are joined by remaining ruins.
The new volume follows the plan of the existing building through its structural form. The copper material was chosen as its weathering properties will eventually emulate a similar aging aesthetic felt in the original structure.
Image Credit: Thibaut Dini
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Historic Restoration
- The trend of refurbishing historic buildings, such as ancient convents, for modern use.
- Architectural Harmonization
- The trend of creating new architectural designs that harmonize with existing structures and ruins.
- Sustainable Materials
- The trend of using sustainable materials, such as weathering copper, for modern additions to historic structures.
Sectors Adopting This
- Architecture
- The architecture and design industry has opportunities to specialize in historic restoration and incorporating sustainable materials into modern designs.
- Construction
- The construction industry has opportunities to develop expertise in blending new and old structures in ways that are both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.
- Tourism
- The tourism industry has opportunities to promote historic sites that are refurbished and modernized for contemporary use, while still retaining their original charm and unique character.
