TORRE RINALDA — PHIL CHANG

SIGHTING TOWER

The adaptive reuse of Torre Rinalda and its neighboring siblings presents in itself an exciting opportunity to vitalize and unify Lecce’s coastal front. At a master planning level, the project introduces a 20 km trail along the coastline connecting four towers: Torre Specchiolla, Torre Rinalda, Torre Chianca, and Torre Veneri. Currently many of Lecce’s 50+ towers are nested among smaller coastal provinces containing homes, restaurants, shops, and various tourist venues. Yet from a regional perspective, there appears to be a pedestrian disconnect between these local communities. By establishing a trail network for the region, the project seeks to create meaningful relationships between communities by bringing together history, design, and green spaces for pedestrians, bikers, and runners. Such connections and gathering points in turn become key factors that contribute to an overall sense of cultural rediscovery, regional identity, and healthy communities.

At the architectural scale, the project brings to life the 16th century built Torre Rinalda by restoring its former function as a sighting tower while also providing gathering spaces for the community. To minimize its impact on the original tower, the project is built upon four primary columns that function as “stilts” supporting the new addition. A combination of lightweight wooden structural members and translucent panels balance the original limestone to create an atmosphere of lightness and temporality above while anchored by history below. Visitors enter through the existing base at ground level and are guided upwards within the semi- enclosed addition. As one ascends, framed views give visitors a foretaste of the land and sea before culminating at roof level with sweeping vistas all around. The intention is that this design language could be modified to adapt and tailor to the unique needs of each tower and community. As the individual towers are restored, they collectively become a “string a lamps” along Lece’s coastline, bringing to life and unifying the entire region once again.