Terrazza di Calamita

The project Terrazza di Calamita is an example of how to develop existing fallow land and their context - existing constructions, relics and nature. For the decommissioned opencast mining site Calamita, solutions were found through different approaches such as conservation, maintenance, new construction, controlled decay and revitalisation.

The master plan for the disused opencast mining site of Calamita aims to bring back to consciousness the interesting history of the area. It aims to represent the glorious period of industrial culture, its decay and the power of nature that reclaims its former terrain. The creation and revitalisation of an exciting attraction will make it possible to make this neglected part of the island attractive for locals and tourists.\nTwo new circular paths lead through the area, following a museum-like concept, which captures the charm of the industrial fallow land and the nature. The focus is on the lower circular path, which leads across the opencast mining terraces past many industrial relics and ruins. We have been identified 12 characteristic stations, some more influenced by nature, others more by the industrial relics. Since each station is different, individual decisions have been made on how to deal with the existing structures - whether to conserve them, maintain them, or leave them to controlled decay. At some stations, the site is left natural.\nThe three stations, with the greatest intervention were shown in detail. \n1st station: The proposed new entrance building, the proposed new museum and the old garage form an ensemble. The garage having been maintained and the new buildings make for new interior and exterior spaces.\n4th station: The proposed new building of the panoramic view makes it possible to walk through the previously inaccessible ascending mining terraces on the striking front mountain peak. The environment, the history and the nature are important parts of the concept of the building.\n11th station: The existing building of the former industrial laundry is conserved by a concrete renovation and provided with a second new shell. This is not a reconstruction of its original. The building will be further developed into an abstract concrete sculpture.