Explosion of colors. Renovation and rebuilding of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
04/10/2020.
[Lucca] Italy
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
The Italian studio MICROSCAPE has executed the restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels in the city and commune in Tuscany Central Italy, of Lucca, famous for its intact Renaissance-era city walls.
The Oratory was built in 1638 by the homonymous Congregation, and for about twenty years, it remained bare and unadorned. The first decorations with paintings and frescoes began in 1658. It was conceived striking a careful balance; the pictorial works of the Oratory are a paradigmatic example of rich Baroque decoration and is itself unique in an urban context.
The Oratory was built in 1638 by the homonymous Congregation, and for about twenty years, it remained bare and unadorned. The first decorations with paintings and frescoes began in 1658. It was conceived striking a careful balance; the pictorial works of the Oratory are a paradigmatic example of rich Baroque decoration and is itself unique in an urban context.
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE. Photograph by Filippo Poli
Ground floor plan. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Ground floor plan. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Choir floor plan. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Choir floor plan. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
Sections. Restoration and completion of the Oratory of the Guardian Angels by MICROSCAPE
The project of MICROSCAPE works on the oratory, which over the centuries, became a point central in the life of the city thanks to its splendid acoustics, which made it a special place for composers and musicians.
The Oratory has undergone a systematic restoration and completion with minimal actions: new spaces for the artists and the audience, the inner courtyard was covered, and the new installation of the original sacred furnishings.
The Oratory has undergone a systematic restoration and completion with minimal actions: new spaces for the artists and the audience, the inner courtyard was covered, and the new installation of the original sacred furnishings.
Description of project by MICROSCAPE
The Oratory of the Guardian Angels is in the eastern part of the historic centre of Lucca, located within a large city block; on the outside it is very simple and is difficult to recognise from the street.
You enter the church through a small door on the side. The Oratory was built in 1638 by the homonymous Congregation, and for about twenty years it remained bare and unadorned. The first decorations with paintings and frescoes began in 1658. An explosion of colors and harmony.
It was conceived striking a careful balance; the pictorial works of the Oratory are a paradigmatic example of rich Baroque decoration and is itself unique in an urban context. The decoration with frescoes, stucco-work and paintings was carried out between the mid-seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries and includes the entire space of the church.
Over the centuries, the Oratory became central in the life of the city thanks to its splendid acoustics, which made it a special place for composers and musicians. For centuries, it has been a place where you can compose, rehearse and record musical scores, and put on performances.
Unfortunately, in recent decades, due to the infiltration of rainwater from the roof of the adjacent Officina degli Artigianelli, the frescoes on the south wall were in a bad state of repair. Moreover, the sacristy had been transformed into a makeshift dressing room for the artists invited to perform in the Oratory, and there were no spaces for accommodating an audience. The lighting was low and uneven. The uncovered inner courtyard and the two stone stairways leading to the choirs were in an advanced state of decay and abandonment.
The Oratory has undergone a systematic restoration of all the painted decorations, the wooden decorations and the eighteenth-century organ; at the same time, all the technological additions were removed thanks to the realisation of the lighting system with LED source and luminaires on the wall cornice. The roof was renovated and the thermal performance improved. The exterior plasterwork and paintwork have been redone.
The inner courtyard was covered with a light steel and opal glass cover. The two flights of preexisting stairs in grey sandstone have undergone conservative restoration. The new walking surface has three large steps that connect the two levels of the entrance to the former sacristy. The covered courtyard has been furnished with a swivelling wooden desk that serves as a streamlined ticket counter.
The lighting system consists of simple LED strips recessed in the slot of the planar beams of the glass roof. From the covered courtyard a ramp takes you to the area of the facilities for the spectators and the dressing rooms for the artists. The new system of pleated walls identifies the doorways to the dressing rooms and toilets as well as creating two seats along the circulation corridor.
The lighting system is made with luminaires recessed into the black ceiling, just as with the dressing rooms. In the two dressing rooms linear lamps alternate with mirrors. A third room is used as a meeting room, and here the black ceiling and linear lighting fixtures placed in the corners of the space create an enveloping and intimate place where artists and musical technicians can gather before going on stage. The dressing room area connects with the Oratory hall through a doorway connecting to the former sacristy.
The original sacred furnishings, discovered during the work, have been recovered and rearranged in the new spaces attached to the large hall of the Oratory. They accompany the visitor in the exploration of the new spaces, starting with the fresco (removed in 1975) depicting the Guardian Angel with child, at one time located above the entrance door of the main facade, which was placed in the new covered courtyard. On the facade, a digital reproduction of it printed on aluminium reconstructs the original compositional unit of the entrance, and reminds us that guardian angels will always carry us in their hands so that our feet do not strike against a stone.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Architectural design, restoration and installation.- MICROSCAPE architecture urban design AA. Contractors for the architectural and systems work.- Angelo Impianti s.r.l., Bonuccelli s.r.l., Casanova, Next s.r.l., Davini s.r.l., Paladini s.r.l., S2 s.r.l., Tecno Service s.r.l. Companies for the restoration work.- C. Cannizzaro, E. Modena, G. dalle Monache, G. Ghilardi, M.A. Sebeti, L. Lanciani (con C. Spataro, R. Maraccini, I. Pini, N. Pellicci, L. Bertolozzi), Lo Studiolo di Colombini, Lazzareschi e Ricciarelli.
Client
FCRLU.
Area
890 m².
Dates
2016 - 2020.
Location
Lucca, Italy.
Photography
Patrizia Pisaniello, Saverio Pisaniello. MICROSCAPE
MICROSCAPE was founded in Lucca, Italy, in 2006 by two brothers: Patrizia Pisaniello and Saverio Pisaniello. In 2009 the Piazza del Municipio in Povegliano was selected for the 5th edition of the Piccinato Prize. MICROSCAPE is selected among the best European under 40 studios, resulting in the winner of the Europe 40 Under 40 of 2010.
He exhibited his work in the context of the events of the Italian Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo and at the Italian Pavilion: Arcipelago Italia of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale 2018. Since 2012 their graphic production has become part of of the NAM of the Nazioanle Academy of S. Luca.
They teach at the University of Florence and Ferrara.
He exhibited his work in the context of the events of the Italian Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo and at the Italian Pavilion: Arcipelago Italia of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale 2018. Since 2012 their graphic production has become part of of the NAM of the Nazioanle Academy of S. Luca.
They teach at the University of Florence and Ferrara.
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