Genoese architecture studio Caarpa has transformed the Church of Nostra Signora della Costa in Levanto, Italy, into a versatile event space, preserving its historic charm while adding a modern mezzanine structure.
Revitalizing History with Contemporary Design
The Church of Nostra Signora della Costa has a rich history, dating back to its 14th-century consecration. Over time, the building experienced several modifications, including floor lowering, the removal of marble cladding, and the addition of a plain concrete slab. By the mid-20th century, urban development and neglect had left the church in disrepair.
Caarpa’s renovation project aimed to restore and repurpose the church, introducing a contemporary steel structure known as the cantoria. This choir gallery, positioned near the entrance, is designed to provide a private mezzanine overlooking the main hall while complementing the ornate frescoes and stucco decorations.
Cantoria: A Blend of Old and New
The cantoria was crafted from micro-perforated metal panels, finished in a powder blue to match the church’s walls. The structure includes a spiral staircase that leads to the mezzanine, offering visitors a closer look at the preserved 18th-century frescoes and views from a large trefoil window.
The design of the cantoria contrasts with the church’s classical architecture, yet its two curved capitals subtly nod to classical styles, blending new and old elements seamlessly. Caarpa carefully balanced the client’s request for additional space with the need to preserve the church’s original character, introducing new perspectives while maintaining the building’s historic integrity.
Preserving the Past While Embracing the Future
Caarpa’s work in the presbytery and apse involved restoring the frescoes and stuccoes, cleaning them of patina, while also exposing traces of the church’s 20th-century history. The church’s raw pastel walls and missing plaster have been left visible, intentionally highlighting the building’s struggles over time.
The studio’s restoration efforts include treating the stripped altars with lime putty to reveal their original form and replacing the flooring with slate tiles arranged in linear patterns with borders every three rows.
Founded in Genoa in 2017, Caarpa is known for its innovative approach to blending historical architecture with contemporary design. Other notable projects include modern interventions in a historic provostry in Prague and the conversion of a church in Transylvania into a guesthouse.