A Seismic Architecture Research Institute for Castelvecchio CalvisioStone Stories

Jonathon Dominic

Prepared for the Fall 2012 Interior Architecture Thesis Committee:

Jeffrey KatzSkender Luarasi Liliane WongWolfgang Rudorf

External Advisor:

Lisa Foster, Principal at Reconstructure, LLC.

December 14, 2012

Table of Contents

List of Figures 4Thesis Abstract 2Program 4Precedents 10Site Conditions: Location, Dimensioned Plans & Elevations 22Site Conditions: Organization, Volumes, & Framework 48Site Conditions: History, Narrative, & Traces 56Site Conditions: Seismicity 62Design Intent 70Research Sources - Short List 75

List of Figures

Program 4Figure 2.1.1 Exploded Program Diagram 7Figure 2.1.2 ReLUIS Research Laboratories and Equipment 8Precedents 10Figure 3.1.1 Interior of glass dome 12Figure 3.1.3 Program diagram for museum 12Figure 3.1.2 Exterior of dome at night 12Figure 3.1.2 Lowering pre-constructed dome into final position 12Figure 3.2.1 Interior of Hermès Boutique 13Figure 3.2.2 Detail of facade showing connection of glass blocks 13Figures 3.2.4-5 Installing viscoelastic dampers at the building's foundation 13Figure 3.2.3 Maison Hermès at night 13Figure 3.3.1 Beijing is still developing 14Figure 3.3.3 The CCTV headquarters among the growing urban context of contemporary Beijing 14Figure 3.3.2 The CCTV headquarters among the expansive urban fabric of contemporary Beijing 14Figure 3.3.4 Structural diagram showing layers of the diagrid system 14Figure 3.4.1 View of towers from street level 15Figure 3.4.3 Diagram showing locations of dampers in structural grid 15Figure 3.4.2 Detail of beam-to-column damper connection 15Figure 3.5.1 Schematic diagram showing forces acting on triple friction pendulum isolators 16Figure 3.5.3 Triple Friction Pendulum Isolator from the top of a column at the first floor of the structure 16Figure 3.5.2 New terminal designed by Arup making the largest seismically resistant structure in the world 16Figure 3.5.4 Construction of the superstructure 16Figure 3.6.1 Scarpa's intervtion juxtaposes existing and new conditions emphasizing materiality and form 17Figure 3.6.3 Clearing and stripping debris from the interior introduced opportunities for modern interventions whose contrast illuminates the nuances of the artwork 17Figure 3.6.4 Treated core ten steal brings in new forms of material finish and decay to the centuries-old art-work 17Figure 3.6.2 Innovative staircase leading to the upper galleries 17Figure 3.7.1 Detail from site plan of Salemi indicating new relationships established between piazza and sur-rounding buildings 18Figure 3.7.3 The reconstructed apse of the church from Piazza Alicia 18Figure 3.7.2 The church of Piazza Alicia was rebuilt through subtraction 18Figure 3.7.4 The refoundation of the piazza emphasized the morphology of the site from a series of substan-tial seismic events 18Figure 3.8.1 The staircases of the main hall reflect the originals without mimicking them 19Figure 3.8.3 Following WWII, the Neues Museum sat as a ruin for 60 years 19Figure 3.8.4 Light and transparency focus the visitors attention on the artwork as much as the story the build-ing is telling 19Figure 3.8.2 Glass serves as a barrier between old and new contexts 19Figure 3.9.3 Perforations in the ground floor slabs provide windows for the ordinary museum visitor to experi-ence the ruins as an archaeologist 20Figure 3.9.1 Exploded perspective showing insertion of the museum into the existing archaeological sight 20Figure 3.9.2 The challenge of designing a museum that bridges the contemporary urban context of Athens with its rich archaological heritage literally in the sample place 20Figure 3.9.4 The third floor housing original friezes taken from the Par

thenon is twisted slightly to reorient the friezes to their original direction on the Parthenon. 20Figure 3.10.1 Rendering of proposed building marking the position of the Roman army 21Figure 3.10.3 Rendering of interior looking out onto the ancient battleground between the Romans and Gauls 21Figure 3.10.4 Proposal for exhibit design to experience the siege 21Figure 3.10.2 Plan drawing showing circulation of museum visitors through exhibits and program elements 21Site Conditions: Location, Dimensioned Plans & Elevations 22Figure 4.1.1 Homogenous Zone 4: Castelvecchio Calvisio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Castel del Monte, Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi 23Figure 4.1.2 Central location in Italy 23Figure 4.1.3 Central location in the mountainous region of the Gran Sasso National Park and Monte del Laga in Abruzzo 23Figure 4.1.4 Site plan of the Comune of Castelvecchio Calvisio 24Figure 4.1.5 Site plan of historic center identifying 7 points for interventions 25Figure 4.2.1 Detail of Site #1 26Figure 4.2.2 View of North Facade and Via Catilina 27Figure 4.2.2 View of South Facade 27Figure 4.2.4 Inside south half of the site 27Figure 4.2.3 Looking into north half of the site 27Figure 4.3.1 Detail of Site #2 28Figure 4.3.2 View into site from north side of Via Catilina 29Figure 4.3.3 Panorama from south side of Via Catilina 29Figure 4.3.3 View of site #1 from site #2 across Via Borghi Archi Romani 29Figure 4.4.1 Detail of Site #3 30Figure 4.4.2 Panorama of site showing paved ground and concrete facing on adjacent buildings 31Figure 4.4.4 Panorama of site from Via Catilina 31Figure 4.4.3 Surrounding context presents an abundance of overgrown vegetation and aluminum fencing 31Figure 4.5.1 Detail of Site #4 32Figure 4.5.2 View of ruins of Villa S. Martino, a 7th century villa, from the original south entrance to Via S. Martino. 33Figure 4.5.3 View of site from Via Borghi Archi Romani showing overgrown vegetation and concrete facing of adjacent buildings 33Figure 4.5.4 View from Via Borghi Archi Romani showing overgrown vegetation and urban context 33Figure 4.6.1 Detail of Site #5 34Figure 4.6.2 View the top of the site. Visible here is the clock tower of the south entrance to Via S. Martino 35Figure 4.6.3 Panorama of inside of the second story of the site showing large accumulation of earth inside 35Figure 4.6.4 Looking north on Via dei Liberali at covered passage and urban context 35Figure 4.6.5 Site is currently off-limits in a hazardous red-zone 35Figure 4.7.1 Detail of Site #6 36Figure 4.7.2 View from within site 37Figure 4.7.5 Panorama from within site showing fallen floors and amount of dirt and debris 37Figure 4.7.3 Looking through door from the south end of Via del Forno 37Figure 4.7.4 Detail of wooden window jamb 37Figure 4.7.6 Detail of typical unreinforced masonry 37Figure 4.8.1 Detail of Site #7 38Figure 4.8.2 Remnants of covered passageways along Via Borghi Archi Romani 39Figure 4.8.4 Panorama of site showing relationship to the intersiction of Via Borghi Archi Romani and Via dei Trapassati as well as adjacent building types 39Figure 4.8.3 Looking down Via dei Trapassati at the south portion of site #7 39Figure 4.9.1 Elevations of Piazza Regina Margherita and Via della Chiesa and Via Interclusa (west) 40

Figure 4.9.2 Elevations of Via dei Trapassati (east) and Via del Forno (west) 41Figure 4.9.3 Elevations of Via del Forno (east) and Via del Liberali (west) 42Figure 4.9.4 Elevations of Via dei Liberali (east) and Via San Martino (west) 43Figure 4.9.5 Elevations of Via San Martino (east) and Via Caronte (west) 44Figure 4.9.6 Elevations of Via Caronte (east) and Via Catilina (west) 45Figure 4.9.7 Elevations of Via delle Sentinelle (east, south, and north) 46Site Conditions: Organization, Volumes, & Framework 48Figure 5.1.1 Plan showing boundaries for the Reconstruction Plan (blue) and for the clusters of buildings (red). 48Figure 5.1.2 Building Size by Number of Floors 49Figure 5.1.4 Building Size by Volume 49Figure 5.1.3 Building Size by Height 49Figure 5.1.6 Recorded Damage by Building 50Figure 5.1.5 Building Size by its Footprint 50Figures 5.1.7-8 Building Clusters with Ruins and Distribution of Damaged Buildings 50Figure 5.1.9a Plumbing System 51Figure 5.1.11 Sewer System 51Figure 5.1.9b Plumbing System by Material of Pipe 51Figure 5.1.10 Gas System 51Figure 5.1.12 Architectural and Enviornmental Conditions of the Area 52Figure 5.1.13 Protection and Enhancement of Natural Resources and Cultural History 53Figure 5.1.14 Regional Landscape 53Figure 5.1.15 Natural Systems: Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas 54Figure 5.1.16 Areas of Pre-Existing Agricultural Significance 54Site Conditions: History, Narrative, & Traces 56Figure 6.1.1 Historic Center during the 14th Century 57Figure 6.1.2 Historic Center during the 16th Century 58Figure 6.1.3 Historic Center during the 18th Century 59Figure 6.1.4 Historic Center during the 20th Century 59Figure 6.2.1 Sample of Architectural Traces 60Site Conditions: Seismicity 62Figure 7.1.1 Stone Buttresses 64Figure 7.1.2 Roman Arches 64Figure 7.1.4 Steel Threading 64Figure 7.1.3 Concrete Facing 64Figure 7.1.5 Timber and Steel Wall Reinforcement 65Figure 7.1.7 Canvas Strapping 65Figure 7.1.8 Timber Framework 65Figure 7.1.6 Steel Arch Reinforcement 65Figure 7.1.9 Steel and Timber Reinforcement 65Figure 7.2.1 Map of Seismic Risk 66Figure 7.2.2 Excerpt from a Typological Map Indicating Geotechnical Site Conditions 67Figure 7.2.3 Point Map Analysis Indicating Seismic Strength in Abruzzo 67Figure 7.2.4 Table extracted from Eurocode 8 indicating categories of soil types. Castelvecchio Calvisio is classi-fied with type (B) soil. 69Design Intent 70Figure 8.1.1. Evolution of the borgo from the 14th century projected into the 25th century 71Figure 8.2.1. Sketch 1: Single Construction Intervention 73Figure 8.2.2. Sketch 2: Multiple Constructions Intervention 73Figure 8.2.3. Sketch 3: Single Construction Intervention 74Figure 8.2.4. Sketch 4: Single Construction Intervention 74Figure 8.2.5. Sketch 5: Multiple Constructions Intervention 75

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Thesis Abstract

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Traces are the consequence of time and force; woven together they deliver a narrative. Architectural narrative stitches together traces left by social, political, economic, and environmental forces exercised in time, constructing monuments that mark a style or define a typology.

Conceptually, however, architectural traces - inscriptions, details, building typologies, urban organization - make crucial narrative ele-ments steaming social, political, and economic progress. Environmental forces will always overtake architecture; then what should be salvaged from architectural remnants must be recontextualized into new realizations that promote contemporary technology, intelli-gence, and style. What remains returns to garden.

My thesis celebrates architectural narrative as both the crux of preservation and the initial step toward urban revitalization for Castelvec-chio Calvisio, an abandoned medieval borgo located in the agrarian yet highly seismic central region of Italy. Seeking a fecund architec-tural expression of the town’s centuries-long narrative, I propose 7 new towers inserted into scattered urban voids that will punctuate the deteriorating fabric with interventions for research and innovative thinking, bringing to light new ideas for seismic distress on archi-tecture while cultivating a community of specialists and laymen. Furthermore, my proposal urges the role of the design philosophy to extend beyond the realization of a building into its occupation and maintenance and through to its inevitable decay.

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The proposal for a seismic architecture research facil-ity responds to the need for Italians to identify new ap-proaches to seismic design specific to the type of un-reinforced masonry buildings prevalent throughout the country while confiding in a typology that is uniquely Italian. This is the central focus of the research insti-tute I propose for Castelvecchio Calvisio, a town rich in architectural and cultural history. In conjunction with observing the geotechnical conditions and monitoring seismic activity, the town's running historical narrative is paramount to determining a culture-driven architectural typology.

2ProgramProgram

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The program proposal results in a mixed use facility, containing assembly, business, and residential spaces.

Auditorium/Lecture Hall (OL: 7 sq.ft per seat)

Gallery (OL: 30 net sq.ft)

Assembly - A-2

Assembly - A-3

Business - B

Residential - R-1

Residential - R-2

Hotel: Short-term (<30 days) Transient Guests (OL: 200 gross sf)

Cafè (OL: 15 net sf)

Offices & Workstations (OL: 100 gross sf)

Meeting Rooms and Video Conferencing Facilitiy (OL: 100 gross sf)

Seismic Research Laboratory (OL: 100 gross sf)

Dormitory: Long-term (>30 days) Transient Guests (OL: 50 gross sf)

Apartment: Permanent Housing (OL: 200 gross sf)

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Cafè (1 floor): 360 sq.ft (adjusted net sq. ft)/15 sq.ft = 24 max occupancy

Auditorium/Lecture Hall: 200 seats x 7 sq.ft = 1,400 sq.ft

Exhibition Space (2 floors): 720 sq.ft (adjusted net sq. ft)/30 sq. ft = 24 max occupancy

Meeting Rooms and Video Conferencing Facilities (3 floors2): 678 sq. ft/100 sq. ft = 7 max occupancy

Offices/Workstations(3 floors at each site): 1,206 sq.ft/100 sq. ft = 12 max occupancy

Laboratory (1 floor): 3,025 sq. ft/100 sq. ft = 30 max occupancy

Hotel (2 floors): 6,050 sq.ft/200 sq. ft = 30 max occupancy

Dormitory (4 floors): 1,120 sq. ft/200 sq. ft = 5 max occupancy

Apartments (4 floors): 2,412 sq.ft/200 sq. ft = 12 max occupancy

The Seismic Research Institute houses and employs 12 full-time, permanent seismic specialists in a 3,000+ sq. ft laboratory and hosts long-term scientist residencies for up to 5 scientists at a time. Meeting spaces may accommodate 7 of the scientists but will be equipped with state-of-the-art video conferencing capabilities since most meetings and presentations will presumably take place outside of Castelvecchio Calvisio. For meetings and events that take place on site, the institute features a 200-seat auditorium and lecture hall (also equipped with video conferencing technology) with conferencing facilities and a 30-room hotel for overnight guests. Finally there is a mediation space between the in-stitute and the general public, including facilities for a historical center, exhibition space, and cafè that may accommodate groups up to 24.

Summary:

Occupancy Load Calculation

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Auditorium/Lecture Hall

Gallery

The proposed program will occupy 7 new constructions of varying storeys and uses.

Assembly - A-2

Assembly - A-3

Business - B

Residential - R-1

Residential - R-2

Hotel: Short-term (<30 days) Transient Guests

Cafè

Offices & Workstations

Meeting Rooms and Video Conferencing Facilitiy

Seismic Research Laboratory

Dormitory: Long-term (>30 days) Transient Guests

Apartment: Permanent Housing

Figure 2.1.1 Exploded Program Diagram

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Program Precedent: Reluis Seismic Research Collaborative

The Laboratories University Network of seismic engineering (ReLUIS), founded in 2003, is an interuniversity consortium with the purpose to coordinate the university laboratories activity in seismic engineering, providing scientific, organizational, technical and financial supports to associated universities while promoting their par-ticipation to scientific and technological oriented activities in seismic engineering area, accordant with national and international research plans in Italy.

The consortium is a scientific liaison between various governmental, regional, provincial and council agencies and between public and private institutes to get tangible objectives concerning vulnerability and risk evaluation and reduction. The consortium has the main office in Naples, c.o. Dipartimento di Analisi e Progettazione Strutturale, University of Naples “Federico II”. Other members of the consortium include:

University of Basilicata (Potenza) – Dipartimento di Strutture, Geotecnica, Geologia Applicata all'Ingegneria

Università of Naples Federico II – Dipartimento di Analisi e Progettazione Strutturale

University of Pavia – tramite il Dipartimento di Meccanica Strutturale.

Successive members:

University of Trento – Dipartimento di Meccanica Strutturale.

Figure 2.1.2 ReLUIS Research Laboratories and Equipment

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I have divided my architectural precedents into two groups: seismically-resistant design and cultural design. The seismically-resisitant design precedents focus on new technology used in architecture to permit buildings to sway in a seismic event and absorb most of the lateral impact forces, relieving significant amounts of stress to joints that cause damage or a buiding to collapse. The cultural design precedents are those that deal with critical cultural and ethical issues facing design. They re-quired the designer to define and commit to a strategy in dealing with ruins or an important historical narrative.

3PrecedentsPrecedents

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Carlo Scarpa Museo di Castelvecchio | Verona, Italy | 1954-1967

Alvaro Siza Piazza Alicia | Salemi, Italy | 1982

David Chipperfield Neues Museum | Berlin, Germany | 1997-2009

Bernard Tschumi Acropolis Museum | Athens, Greece | 2001-2009

Bernard Tschumi Alésia Museum and Archaelogical Park | Alesia, France | 2003-2012

ARUP Glass Dome for the Osaka Maritime Museum | Osaka, Japan | 2000

Renzo Piano Maison Hermès | Tokyo, Japan | 1996-2002

OMA CCTV Headquarters | Beijing, China | 2002-2012

ARUP St. Francis Shangri-La | Manila, Philippines | 2008

ARUP Sabiha Gökçen International Airport | Istanbul, Turkey | under construction

Precedents : Seismically-Resistant Design

Precedents : Cultural Design

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Osaka Marine MuseumPaul Andreu with ARUP | Osaka, Japan | 2000

ARUP's 70m diameter 'lamimet-al' dome was designed with a dia-grid structure capable of with-standing large seismic as well as tide and storm loads. The dome houses 4 floors of exhibition space and the glazing features a thin perforated metal layer de-signed to work with the path of the sun to both shield from high solar gain and allow access to light throughout the year.

Figure 3.1.1 Interior of glass dome

Figure 3.1.2 Exterior of dome at night

Figure 3.1.3 Program diagram for museum Figure 3.1.2 Lowering pre-constructed dome into final position

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Maison HermèsRenzo Piano with ARUP | Tokyo, Japan | 1996-2002

With a building site 45m long while just 11m wide, conceiv-ing a structure to absorb the lateral forces for seismic resis-tance proved challenging. Us-ing ancient Japanese temples for inspiration, ARUP utilized vis-coelastic dampers at nodular intersections between columns and floorslabs as well as the can-tilever extensions supporting the glass facade to absorb large forc-es keeping the building and the people inside safe.

Figure 3.2.1 Interior of Hermès Boutique

Figure 3.2.2 Detail of facade showing connection of glass blocks Figures 3.2.4-5 Installing viscoelastic dampers at the building's foundation

Figure 3.2.3 Maison Hermès at night

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CCTV HeadquartersRem Koolhaas & Ole Scheeren | Beijing, China | 2002-2012

The dia-grid structural system not only transfers lateral forces to the ground with far less ma-terial than a standard grid struc-tural system it also is much more cost effective. The exterior fa-cade of the CCTV Headquarters celebrates this internal dia-grid system, literally scribing it into the surface materail, highlighting areas of higher stress with areas of less stress.

Figure 3.3.1 Beijing is still developing Figure 3.3.2 The CCTV headquarters among the expansive urban fabric of contemporary Beijing

Figure 3.3.3 The CCTV headquarters among the growing urban context of contemporary Beijing Figure 3.3.4 Structural diagram showing layers of the diagrid system

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St. Francis Shangri-LaWong Tung International Ltd. with ARUP | Manila, Philippines | 2008

Building the tallest residential complex in the Philippines meant clearly understanding the neces-sary performance criteria of the site, particularly during a seismic event. ARUP incorporated 32 dampers, 16 in each tower, to the structural grid of the build-ing allowing the joints to absorb the lateral forces caused during an earthquake.

Figure 3.4.1 View of towers from street level

Figure 3.4.2 Detail of beam-to-column damper connection

Figure 3.4.3 Diagram showing locations of dampers in structural grid

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Sabiha Gökçen AirportARUP | Istanbul, Turkey | under construction

The Sabiha Gökçen Interna-tional Airport in Istanbul is the single largest seismically resistant structure in the world. The entire superstructure is supported on 300 triple friction pendulum isolators resulting in a struc-ture capable of withstanding an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0. Each isolator is 900x900mm and allows lateral movement of 245mm.Figure 3.5.1 Schematic diagram showing forces

acting on triple friction pendulum isolators

Figure 3.5.2 New terminal designed by Arup making the largest seismically resistant structure in the world

Figure 3.5.4 Construction of the superstructure

Figure 3.5.3 Triple Friction Pendulum Isolator from the top of a column at the first floor of the structure

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Museo di CastelvecchioCarlo Scarpa | Verona, Italy | 1954-1967

Carlo Scarpa's transformation of a 14th century Veronese castle into a modern gallery showcas-ing mostly Romanesque paint-ing and sculpture from Verona is in every sense true to his style of materiality, details, and crafts-manship. The museum highlights remaining architectural elements through contrast with contem-porary intervention in the juxta-position of both form and mate-rial.

Figure 3.6.1 Scarpa's intervtion juxtaposes existing and new conditions emphasizing materiality and formFigure 3.6.2 Innovative staircase leading to the upper galleries

Figure 3.6.3 Clearing and stripping debris from the interior introduced opportunities for modern interven-tions whose contrast illuminates the nuances of the artwork

Figure 3.6.4 Treated core ten steal brings in new forms of material finish and decay to the centuries-old artwork

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Piazza AliciaAlvaro Siza | Salemi, Italy | 1982

Piazza Alicia is just a part of Al-varo Siza's contribution to the restoration of Salemi's historic center, including the revitaliza-tion of the streets, shops, and ad-ministrative spaces. The reshap-ing of the piazza and the church illuminates the negative effects of a past earthquake into the re-foundation of new potential for the spaces. In this way the church and piazza are rebuilt through a process of subtraction.

Figure 3.7.1 Detail from site plan of Salemi indicating new relationships established between piazza and surrounding buildings Figure 3.7.2 The church of Piazza Alicia was rebuilt through subtraction

Figure 3.7.3 The reconstructed apse of the church from Piazza Alicia Figure 3.7.4 The refoundation of the piazza emphasized the morphology of the site from a series of substantial seismic events

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Neues MuseumDavid Chipperfield | Berlin, Germany | 1997-2009

Severely damaged from bomb-ings following the Second World War, the mid-19th century Neues Museum was left for nature for 60 years until Chipperfield's win-ning proposal called for an em-phasis of the old and the new achieved through reflections and reinterpretations rather than replications. Steel and concrete mixed with Saxonian marble chips complement the reinstated interiors without competing with them.

Figure 3.8.1 The staircases of the main hall reflect the originals without mimicking themFigure 3.8.2 Glass serves as a barrier between old and new contexts

Figure 3.8.4 Light and transparency focus the visitors attention on the artwork as much as the story the building is telling

Figure 3.8.3 Following WWII, the Neues Museum sat as a ruin for 60 years

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Acopolis MuseumBernard Tschumi | Athens, Greece | 2001-2009

The Acropolis Museum not only holds some of the most exquisite specimens of sculpture from an-tiquity but is also located at the foot of the Acropolis. The base of the museum floats over ar-chaeological excavations on pi-lotis while the askew top floor, using the most contemporary glass technology, houses the original friezes of the Parthenon maintining their original orienta-tion to the iconic structure's fa-cade.

Figure 3.9.1 Exploded perspective showing insertion of the museum into the existing archaeological sight

Figure 3.9.2 The challenge of designing a museum that bridges the contemporary urban context of Athens with its rich archaological heritage literally in the sample place

Figure 3.9.3 Perforations in the ground floor slabs provide windows for the ordinary museum visitor to experience the ruins as an archaeologist

Figure 3.9.4 The third floor housing original friezes taken from the Parthenon is twisted slightly to reori-ent the friezes to their original direction on the Parthenon.

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Alésia MuseumBernard Tschumi | Alésia, France | 2003-2012

The project marks the archaeo-logical site of the battle between Julius Caesar and the Gauls in 52 B.C. While no architectural rem-nants exist anymore, the struc-tures re-stage battlements and provide interpretation of the area. The positions of the mu-seum and interpretation centers represent the Romans and Gauls and are meant to blend into the landscape through material selec-tion as well as being built partially into the hill.

Figure 3.10.1 Rendering of proposed building marking the position of the Roman army Figure 3.10.2 Plan drawing showing circula-tion of museum visitors through exhibits and program elements

Figure 3.10.3 Rendering of interior looking out onto the ancient battleground between the Romans and Gauls Figure 3.10.4 Proposal for exhibit design to experience the siege

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This section illustrates the location of the site in several different scaled contexts: national, regional, zonal, and finally civil. My site consists of 7 separate "holes" within the urban fabric of the historic center of Castelvecchio Calvisio. These 7 sites will serve as the overall footprint of the intervention. Each site is detailed with a draw-ing as well as photographic record indicating its unique conditions as well as the conditions of adjacent build-ings. Finally a set of elevations taken from the streets provides a sense of density and height as well as insight into the multitude of aperatures.

4Site Conditions: Location, Dimensioned Plans & ElevationsSite Conditions: Location, Dimensioned Plans & Elevations

Comune di Castelvecchio Calvisio42°18'44"N 13°41'17"E

Country: Italy

Region: Abruzzo

Province: L'Aquila (AQ)

Area: 15.04 sqkm (5.81 sq miles)

Elevation: 1,071 m (3,514 ft)

Population: 187 (1 January 2007)

Density: 12/sqkm (32/sq mile)

Sindaco: Dionisio Ciuffini

www.castelvecchiocalvisio.it

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Castelvecchio Calvisio is centrally located in the Abruzzo Region of Italy, ap-proximately 30km E of L'Aquila and 150km NE of Rome.

Castelvecchio Calvisio

Figure 4.1.1 Homogenous Zone 4: Castelvecchio Calvisio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Castel del Monte, Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi

Figure 4.1.2 Central location in Italy

Figure 4.1.3 Central location in the mountainous region of the Gran Sasso National Park and Monte del Laga in Abruzzo

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Figure 4.1.4 Site plan of the Comune of Castelvecchio Calvisio

The colors in this map indicate the usability of spaces following the April 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, green representing highest utility while red represents least utility.

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281Msq

467Msq 5,123FTsq

3,025FTsq

291FTsq183FTsq

226FTsq

280FTsq

603FTsq

750FTsq

Total

27Msq17Msq

21Msq

26Msq

70Msq

56Msq

1 2 3

4

5

6

7

Figure 4.1.5 Site plan of historic center identifying 7 points for interventions

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site 1

dimensions in mm

Program: Seismic laboratory, Auditorium, and HotelArea: 3,025 sqft (281 sqm)Existing Building Conditions: The north facade facing Via Catilina appears relatively intact but the rest of the site is in ruin. Within the ruin wall of the south facade is a recycled jamb with the escription: 1.5.D.P.3.4 whose origins are unknown but dated from the middle of the 16th century.

Figure 4.2.1 Detail of Site #1

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Figure 4.2.2 View of North Facade and Via Catilina

Figure 4.2.2 View of South Facade Figure 4.2.4 Inside south half of the site

Figure 4.2.3 Looking into north half of the site

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site 2

dimensions in mm

Program: Offices and WorkstationsArea: 291 sqft (27 sqm)Existing Building Conditions: The west facade facing Via Borghi Archi Romani is reinforced with steel and timber while the south and west sides are supported by surrounding buildings. The first floor is intact.

Figure 4.3.1 Detail of Site #2

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Figure 4.3.2 View into site from north side of Via Catilina Figure 4.3.3 View of site #1 from site #2 across Via Borghi Archi Romani

Figure 4.3.3 Panorama from south side of Via Catilina

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site 3

dimensions in mm

Program: Offices and WorkstationsArea: 183 sqft (17 sqm)Existing Building Conditions: The entire site has been cleared and repaved at some point. The sides of surrounding buildings show concrete facing, and the ground has been paved to match the street, Via Catilina.

Figure 4.4.1 Detail of Site #3

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Figure 4.4.2 Panorama of site showing paved ground and concrete facing on adjacent buildings Figure 4.4.3 Surrounding context presents an abundance of overgrown vegetation and aluminum fencing

Figure 4.4.4 Panorama of site from Via Catilina

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site 4

dimensions in mm

Program: Meeting and Video-Conference FacilityArea: 226 sqft (21 sqm)Existing Building Conditions: The first 2 floors are intact, but the roof is missing and there is abundant growth of vegetation.

Figure 4.5.1 Detail of Site #4

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Figure 4.5.2 View of ruins of Villa S. Martino, a 7th century villa, from the original south entrance to Via S. Martino.

Figure 4.5.3 View of site from Via Borghi Archi Romani showing overgrown vegetation and concrete facing of adjacent buildings

Figure 4.5.4 View from Via Borghi Archi Romani showing overgrown vegetation and urban context

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site 5

dimensions in mm

Program: Dormitories for residenciesArea: 280 sqft (26 sqm)Existing Building Conditions: The first 2 floors are intact, but the roof has fallen in and the interior has accummulated a significant amount of dirt and debris.

Figure 4.6.1 Detail of Site #5

35Figure 4.6.3 Panorama of inside of the second story of the site showing large accumulation of earth inside

Figure 4.6.2 View the top of the site. Visible here is the clock tower of the south entrance to Via S. Martino

Figure 4.6.5 Site is currently off-limits in a hazardous red-zone

Figure 4.6.4 Looking north on Via dei Liberali at covered passage and urban context

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site 6

dimensions in mm

Program: Permanent housing for scientistsArea: 603 sqft (56 sqm)Existing Building Conditions: The south facade facing Via del Forno is crumbling and all of the interior floors have collapsed.

Figure 4.7.1 Detail of Site #6

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Figure 4.7.2 View from within site Figure 4.7.3 Looking through door from the south end of Via del Forno

Figure 4.7.5 Panorama from within site showing fallen floors and amount of dirt and debris Figure 4.7.6 Detail of typical unreinforced masonry

Figure 4.7.4 Detail of wooden window jamb

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site 7

dimensions in mm

Program: Historic Center, Exhibition Space, CafèArea: 750 sqft (70 sqm)Existing Building Conditions: The site is composed of two existing buildings reinforced by concrete facing on either side of Via Borghi Archi Romani. Each building is just 1 story tall

Figure 4.8.1 Detail of Site #7

39Figure 4.8.4 Panorama of site showing relationship to the intersiction of Via Borghi Archi Romani and Via dei Trapassati as well as adjacent building types

Figure 4.8.2 Remnants of covered passageways along Via Borghi Archi Romani Figure 4.8.3 Looking down Via dei Trapassati at the south portion of site #7

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Figure 4.9.1 Elevations of Piazza Regina Margherita and Via della Chiesa and Via Interclusa (west)

A

C

B

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Figure 4.9.2 Elevations of Via dei Trapassati (east) and Via del Forno (west)

AB

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BA

Figure 4.9.3 Elevations of Via del Forno (east) and Via del Liberali (west)

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Figure 4.9.4 Elevations of Via dei Liberali (east) and Via San Martino (west)

AB

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AB

Figure 4.9.5 Elevations of Via San Martino (east) and Via Caronte (west)

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AB

Figure 4.9.6 Elevations of Via Caronte (east) and Via Catilina (west)

Via Catilina

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Figure 4.9.7 Elevations of Via delle Sentinelle (east, south, and north)

A C

B

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The following plans and graphs provide insight into further layers of analysis on the historic center of Castelvecchio Calvisio, taken directly from the 2011 Re-construction Plan, currently suspended. Nevertheless, the graphics provide ample information on overall or-ganization, volumetric density on the micro-urban scale, and a multiplicity of frameworks working within the same finite constraints.

5Site Conditions: Organization, Volumes, & FrameworkSite Conditions: Organization, Volumes, & Framework

Figure 5.1.1 Plan showing boundaries for the Reconstruction Plan (blue) and for the clus-ters of buildings (red).

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Figure 5.1.2 Building Size by Number of FloorsPlan indicating building heights by the number of floors per building, from 1 floor (represented by the lightest red) to 4 floors (represented by the darkest red)

Figure 5.1.3 Building Size by HeightPlan indicating building heights by meters, from 0-3m (represent-ed by the lightest grey) to 9-12m (represented by the darkest grey)

Figure 5.1.4 Building Size by VolumePlan indicating building volume by cubic meter, from 0-250mc (represented by the lightest green) to 750-2000mc (represented by the darkest green)

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Figure 5.1.5 Building Size by its FootprintPlan indicating size of building by the area of it's footprint, from 0-25sqm (represented in yellow) to 100-200sqm (represented in blue)

Figure 5.1.6 Recorded Damage by BuildingPlan indicating the level of damage by building according to a damage measuring rubric, from the least amount of damage rep-resented in light green to the most damage represented by deep red

The pie graph shows the percentage of building clusters with ruin buildings (24%) to those without (76%). The histogram shows the distribution of buildings compared to each level of the rubric for building damage, where D0 represents the least amount of damage and D5 represents the most amount of damage.

Figures 5.1.7-8 Building Clusters with Ruins and Distribution of Damaged Buildings

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Figure 5.1.9a Plumbing System

Figure 5.1.9b Plumbing System by Material of PipeRed: PVC (~2200m)Yellow: Cast Iron (~500m)Green: Steel (~3100m)Grey: Total (~6500m)

Figure 5.1.10 Gas System

Figure 5.1.11 Sewer System

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Figure 5.1.12 Architectural and Enviornmental Conditions of the Area

Site plan that marks the various levels of focus and protection for reconstruction.Light Green: Agricultural FarmlandDark Green: Olive CultivationLight Grey: ForestMedium Green: RockyWhite: Land entitled to the Gran Sasso National Park and area of Monte del LagaRed: Locations indicated as having architectural significance for the Reconstruction Plan

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Figure 5.1.13 Protection and Enhancement of Natural Resources and Cultural History

Figure 5.1.14 Regional Landscape

Site plan that marks existing and proposed changes to both parks and natural reserve protection for environmental areas. The brown line and circles represent the focus for the Reconstruction Plan to protect and enhance the historic centers of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Castel del Monte, and Villa Santa Lucia.

Site plan that indicates the type of landscape according to geotechnical factors as well as areas of focus for protection and enhancement.

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Figure 5.1.15 Natural Systems: Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas

Figure 5.1.16 Areas of Pre-Existing Agricultural Significance

Site Plan marking National and Regional Parks (Abruzzo National Park, Gran Sasso National Park and Monti della Laga, Maiella Nation-al Park, Sirente-Velino National Park) as well as the natural reserves, park territories, and protected areas (Lake Campotosto, Santo Stefano Hill, and the Source of the Vera River).

Site plan that indicates various protected areas including parks and natural reserves, lakes, rivers, agricultural farmland, as well as areas including pastures, forests, and wildlife.

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This section, translated from the 2011 Reconstruction Plan, provides a brief account of significant historical events that have helped to shape the physical, cultural, and social aspects of Castelvecchio Calvisio. The his-torical account instills new meaning and importance to the sample of 'architectural traces' that follow through a greater sense of context.

6Site Conditions: History, Narrative, & TracesSite Conditions: History, Narrative, & Traces

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The commune of Castelvecchio Calvisio, in the Province of L’Aquila, is situated on the pendici meridionali of the Gran Sasso d’Italia about 30km from the Abruzzo capital, around the Gran Sasso National Park and Monti della Laga.

Thanks to its geographic position on the summit of a hill the borgo is oriented north-east toward the plain of Ofena and Navelli and south-west toward a rich area of forests and pastures. The morphology of the territory and geology have undoubtedly inscribed the urban and economic development of the city and notably influenced the local construction techniques. The genera-tive process of the city, that which we may admire with our eyes, is the result of added anthropic interventions during the course of centuries that have shaped the territory rendering it hospi-table for human settlement. Additionally, the high seismicity of the area, noted since ancient times, has constantly influenced the form of the city.

Castelvecchio Calvisio, like many borghi of the Abruzzese Appennine region, “since the annexa-tion to the Kingdom (1860) were closed castels, outside were inhabited and dangerous to settle. In general the [historic] centers were sloped or dense historic centers with a perimeter formed by a protective mass to combat intruders”. The conformation of the medieval borgo, a defensive wall, and the ovaloid developed plan of the historic center certainly draws from pre-existing conditions.

Castelvecchio Calvisio has very ancient origins. Its urban form most likely has Roman ties and doesn’t exclude the same site that was occupied before from a defense wall with Italic origins. From ancient “pagus”, fortified, probably coming from Villa Calvisia in the 7th century during the castellation process for the transformation into “castrum”. It is like this that Casrelvecchio Calvisio became a fortified borgo with “an urban structure composed from a reinforced wall around what was organized construction”. During the medieval period the city passed under control of different noble families, from the most memorable the Acquaviva and the counts of Celano.

We don’t know precisely what occurred in the 14th and 15th centuries but definitely a develop-ment that contributed to the actual urban configuration and a building constrution very con-centrated in the time: a testimony for instance, of all the eclectic stone elements visible in the foundation wall that date from the construction of the 14th century, and were made in the same distribution of uniform type in the whole city presumably the contemporary of the realization of the borgo.

Figure 6.1.1 Historic Center during the 14th Century

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After 1423 Braccio da Montone, one of the most famous captains of ventura of the time, sacked and destroyed the city and after the earthquake of 1461 that caused further damage, came a period of much splendor for Castelvecchio Calvisio. It is at the end of the 15th century that Castelvecchio Calvisio crossed the period of great splendor and assumed the urban form that today we admire: after the territory of the barony of Carapelle passed to the Piccolomini family came promise for complete reconstruction of the city that came the actual conformation. In this period the church of Saint John the Baptist was constructed, rebuilt on the ruin of a former forti-fied palazzetto as evidence by the remnants of a jamb and a quoin within the wall of the building at the south end.

In 1501 the city entered part of the L’Aquila contado marking a significant opening to new mar-kets for selling wool and saffron - growing markets still coming into being at this time - in 1566, from the well-known Medici family.

Followed was a century of expansion within the wall, consisting mostly in the increase of floors of existing buildings; in 1703, after an earthquake that destroyed l’Aquila, marked an interesting trend toward the direction south: rural buildings are found here and were used for stalls and-barns obtained by exploiting the natural slope for more spacious stables.

The building fabric of this period completely lost the pre-existing order in the historic center; the structures are very small, developed as isolated units and each was unique with 1, 2, or 3 floors. The type of architecture here was very poor and the structural elements in these presented are of irregular stones, stone vaults spanning the square constructions with very rudimentary tech-niques and covering with a single flap facing south, the furnishings are not always well-squared and always without moldings, and windows and doors are rather small in size.

In the 18th century, after the annexation to the kingdom of 2 Sicily’s which came in 1743, sing-nificant interventions around the historic center and almost surely included the closure of 2 ‘vicoli’ in correspondence with the two most important palazzi: Palazzo del Capitano in the north-west and Palazzo Visioni in the East. The reading of some ornamental elements (jambs and architraves of doors and windows) confirm the interventions of this sense in this century.

Figure 6.1.2 Historic Center during the 16th Century

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In the 19th century there is the definite expanision of the borgo along the main street that con-nects the city to San Pio delle Camere toward west and Calascio toward east with buildings of medium architectural quality and used primarily as residences.

They are some original elements such as the façade decorations, vaguely art nouveau, on the building opposite Piazza Torre Maggiore; or the floral frescoes present on valuts and a padi-glione are found in the palazzo Corsi-Pucci and in the already mentioned palazzo Visioni.

After the acquisition of the autonomy from the Comune di Carapelle in 1906, Castelvecchio Calvisio constructed some significant interventions that characterize the public sentiment at the time such as the addition of the small piazza in front of the parish church and the construction of the Palazzo Comunale just outside the historic center to the south. The construction of the small Piazza Principe Umberto is perfectly triangular, constructed in the 1920s on the occasion of the first potable water fixture from the Sorgenti del Gran Sasso, realized in communion with Santo Stefano di Sessanio and Carapelle Calvisio.

Also in the 1920s the construction of small houses along the entrance street to the town, for those from l’Aquila, constructed following the earthquake of 1915 using antiseismic criteria known at the time. In the 1950s came the realization of the scholastic building and kindergarten. These are all the interventions that interest exclusively the territory outside the historical center that frequently are not presenting traditional constructive characteristics, badly inserted into the urban landscape. In the most recent years the city experienced a constant abandoment counting about 200 inhabitants settled while most are outside the defense wall.

Figure 6.1.3 Historic Center during the 18th Century

Figure 6.1.4 Historic Center during the 20th Century

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A

F

J

B

G

K

C

H

LFigure 6.2.1 Sample of Architectural Traces

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D

H

M

E

I

N

A. Arms of the Piccolomini Family from Via della Chiesa

B. Inscription "1919" from Via dei Liberali

C. Religious symbols from Via dei Trapassati

D. Geometric medieval decoration in a door frame

E. View of Villa San Martino from the south entrance to Via San Martino

F. Geometric medieval decoration in a door frame

G. Medieval rosette decoration in a door frame

H. Windowframe from the 16th century in one of the covered passages

I. 20th century symbols representing liberty and power

J. Medieval floral decoration in a door frame

K. Arms above the door of the Palazzo Capitano

L. 16th century window frame

M. Family coat of arms from 1866

N. Remnants of a fortified tower from the 14th century

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Seismicity plays a significant role in not only the geo-logical history of the area but also the morphology of the borgo, evolution of architectural intervention, and abrupt shifts from one design style to another. This sec-tion discusses the seismic risk of the area as defined by Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), as well as its soil composition and a brief introduction to EuroCode 8 which specifically addresses seismic design.

7Site Conditions: SeismicitySite Conditions: Seismicity

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Large earthquakes have been recorded in Abruzzo since ancient times, particularly by the most destructive ones that caused entire urban fabrics to crumble. Such an the earthquake struck Castelvecchio Calvisio in 1461 requiring the town to be com-pletely rebuilt to what we see today. Of particular interest is the evolution of architectural interventions as seismic resistance, notably stone buttresses and Roman arches that make up the most rudimentary interventions. Then in the early 20th century facing buildings with concrete became a standard seismic treatment advocated by engineers. Later in the 20th century, steel threading providing necessary tension served as another seismic safety strategy. Following the 2009 earthquake in L'Aquila, Roman firefighters intervened with 'temporary' reinforcements and created red hazard zone to keep civilians safe. These tem-porary reinforcements remain today, nearly 4 years following the earthquake.

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Figure 7.1.1 Stone Buttresses Figure 7.1.3 Concrete Facing

Figure 7.1.4 Steel ThreadingFigure 7.1.2 Roman Arches

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Figure 7.1.5 Timber and Steel Wall Reinforcement Figure 7.1.6 Steel Arch Reinforcement

Figure 7.1.7 Canvas Strapping Figure 7.1.8 Timber Framework Figure 7.1.9 Steel and Timber Reinforcement

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The region is registered as an area of high risk for seismic activity according to the OPCM 3519/2006, the Italian seis-mic zoning ordinance of 2006 whose technical categoriza-tion gives the area more than 10% probability in 50 years to experience a peak horizontal acceleration between 2.50-2.75 m/s2 (approx. 0.255Gal-0.280Gal) which is comparable to a level VII on the Mercalli scale.

Figure 7.2.1 Map of Seismic Risk

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The soil composition plays a significant role in the realized impact of an earthquake and for design basis earthquake ground motion (DBEGM) in earthquake engineering; the historic center of Castelvecchio Calvisio is built on depos-its of detritus-stone (AP – Aielli Pescina) with a medium-fine texture, dating from the middle Pleistocene geological epoch. Other analyses reveal alluvial-colluvial (geotechnical properties) deposits of mixed grain (AVM – Sistema di Valle Majelama) from the late Pleistocene as well as the Forma-tion of Limestone from gastropods (GCC Cretaceous) rep-resenting the local limestone substrate. Furthermore, imme-diately north of the area exists a normal fault trending E-NE – W-SW.

The image of the stone on the cover of this book is a sam-ple of the local stone

Figure 7.2.2 Excerpt from a Typological Map Indicating Geotechnical Site Conditions

Figure 7.2.3 Point Map Analysis Indicating Seismic Strength in Abruzzo

The red square classifies the location of Castelvecchio Calvisio in the 0.250-0.275 category.

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The tenets of Eurocode 8 in general stipulate the need for seismic design so that " human lives are protected; damage is limited; and structures important for civil protection remain operational". Eurocode 8, Section 9 deals specifically with seismic design for masonry buildings where "specific rules for 'simple masonry build-ings' are given...By conforming to these rules, such 'simple masonry buildings' are deemed to satisfy the fundamental requirements of EN 1998-1 without analytical safety verifications."

The most basic parameters in seismic design include limit states, horizontal acceleration, energy-dissipation capacity, and understanding the risk associated with the design earthquake (the maximum horizontal accelera-tion the building is designed to withstand with a pre-determined amount of consequence.)

Further investigation and understanding of the Eurocode will come out of my internship developing a sub-terranean Center for Compact Cities just outside the historic center of Castelvecchio Calvisio this winter. I will have the opportunity to engage with the codes on a more practical level and potentially working closely with seismic engineers.

Eurocode 8, Section 9

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Figure 7.2.4 Table extracted from Eurocode 8 indicating categories of soil types. Castelvecchio Calvisio is classified with type (B) soil.

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This section provides some exploration into designed interventions to address the issues raised in the abstract as well as through the aforementioned research and de-velopment. Furthermore this section provides informa-tion on research sources, and a basic framework for the proposed interventions.

8Design IntentDesign Intent

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XIV

XXI

XVI-XVIII

XXIII

XX

XXV

Figure 8.1.1. Evolution of the borgo from the 14th century projected into the 25th century

Since the 14th century, urban development has taken place outside the historic center to reflect a growing population and changing needs. In my proposal for the state-of-the-art seismic research institute, I urge for a revitalization of the historic center through punctuated interventions in sites where the original buildings have already reached a state of ruin. In this way the reconstruction strategy remains passive, not requiring unnatural destruction, and the inevitable decay of buildings is guided by pre-determined designed decay states.

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Type of Intervention: 7 new constructions into an existing urban fabric vs. 1 new construction with the same ground footprint (see sketch)

Spatial Reorganization:

Material Selection: The intervention should use local materials but introduce new materials as well. Stone, such as the local limestone, will be a primary material, however steel, glass, and possibly carbon fiber will be used in collaboration with the local stone.

Sustainability Strategy:

Cost/sqft: According to the 2011 Reconstruction Plan, current estimates for reconstruction of the historic center were calculated in upwards of €13.000.000, which is very roughly €100/sqft.

Framework for Interventions

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Figure 8.2.1. Sketch 1: Single Construction Intervention Figure 8.2.2. Sketch 2: Multiple Constructions Intervention

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Figure 8.2.3. Sketch 3: Single Construction Intervention Figure 8.2.4. Sketch 4: Single Construction Intervention

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Research Sources - Short List

Castelvecchio Calvisio Walter Morico

7 Lamps of Architecture John Ruskin

On Weathering Mohsen Mostafavi and David Leatherbarrow

Manifesto of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) William Morris

"Structural Engineering Reconnaissance of the April 6, 2009, Abruzzo, Italy, Earthquake, and Lessons Learned " M. Selim Günay and Khalid M. Mosalam of the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center at University of California, Berkeley

"San Francisco: Inhabiting the Quake" and Earthquake!: a post-bliblical view Leb-beus Woods

Cronocaos Exhibition by Rem Koolhaas

Figure 8.2.5. Sketch 5: Multiple Constructions Intervention