Radioconcentrico
The Castle of Roccamandolfi, nowadays defined only by its ruins, is surrounded by two new reminiscent perimeters of medieval protection walls, which encircle the hill and can be walked on in its entirety. These stone rings, not meant to actually defend, aim to recover the colonization of the mountain, extolling the Castle as the main element and central landmark.
“Throughout history, we can hardly find (…) better environments than the medieval ones, from a visual point of view. These cities, perfectly defined with its enclosure of walls, which play the part of a frame on a work of art”.
Chueca Goitia, Fernando. "Breve Historia del Urbanismo" 4ta ed. Madrid, España: Editorial Alianza, 1977, p. 101 (Translated by the authors)
The Castle of Roccamandolfi, nowadays defined only by its ruins, is surrounded by two new reminiscent perimeters of medieval protection walls, which encircle the hill and can be walked on in its entirety. These stone rings, not meant to actually defend, aim to recover the colonization of the mountain, extolling the Castle as the main element and central landmark.
The first ring delimits the resort and it has a public program, such as the reception, spa, restaurant, and a climbing site. The second ring bears the hotel residents services program, harboring a café, swimming pool, lookout points and shelters located at the top of the trees. At the center, the Castle rises as the highest lookout and it will be also used as an event center, posting cultural spectacles with a privileged view of the entire valley. Different types of walking trails go over the entire site and connect all three mentioned levels.
This is an absolute and homogenic proposal, but at the same time it highlights every separate element of itself. It is a delimited complex, but open to all inhabitants. The new elements, born from the mountain’s geometry and built with stones found in the place are a simple addition, which aspires to provide both a rooted in nature experience and also a recovery of the Castle as a dominant element of the territory.
