Adaptation of the Rocca Janula castle in Cassino, Italy to the headquarters of the Corvi di Giano organization.

The topic of this project is an adaptation of the medieval defensive castle of Rocca Janula in Cassino. It’s an important building due to its location, history and connections with the Montecassino Monastery. It has a great cultural significance for Poland and Italy. It’s an attempt to reintegrate it into social life.

The main purpose of this project is to bring attention to this location and its meaning. The idea is to adapt it to the headquarters of the "Corvi di Giano" organization. It’s an attempt to integrate the fortress with the surrounding and reintegrate it into social life by giving the citizens and tourists a stage for various activities. Shaping the urban plan happened in three stages: 1) main support functions, 2) a transfer zone with bicycle station and toilets, 3) a creation of a relaxation area with a sensory garden and outdoor stairs which are also an overlook. Garden is divided according to five human senses. Each part consists of a series of stimuli individual senses. It may be used for socializing, therapeutic reasons etc. Besides securing endangered parts the main idea is to create a historical path leading through the castle as the main attraction. The path plan consists of seven frames with selected stages from the existence of the castle. They are shaped by both existing and added elements and leading through the castle showing its history. The roofing above the main courtyard is a central part of the design. It would increase the internal space while giving the ability to regulate temperature inside. The roofing is not structurally connected with the existing tissue. Three sizes of elements have been determined: L – structural and water drainage, M - indicate the location of important places, S - source of shadow. The concept assumes the division of the object into zones: headquarters, representative and overlook. Each of them consists of cubature objects, horizontal communication and properly separated parts of the main courtyard. The main courtyard is separated visually from the observation deck by a garden. The garden is located on the site of the former moat. It’s supposed to emphasize the former division of the castle, while giving it friendly character and spatial fusion of both parts. Overlook area is the highest point of the fortress. The tower is secured and exposed with a glass structure. The smaller courtyard is enlarged by a 20-meter long footbridge extended towards the city.