In the scenic Puglia region of southern Italy, the ancient coastal towers stand as remnants of a fortification system. Torre Rinalda, a prominent 16th-century limestone tower near Lecce, exemplifies this defense mechanism. Participants were tasked, in collaboration with the Municipality of Lecce, to reimagine Torre Rinalda—breathing new life into it as a revitalized landmark with a renewed sense of place, while also transforming its dormant spaces into vibrant public areas for communal engagement and observation.
Rinalda’s former military tower is reimagined as the ‘Protector of the Sea’ to address the threats of rising sea levels, pollution, and overfishing. This beacon of awareness, with minimal alterations, serves as an educational and communal hub. Our vision not only rejuvenates the tower as a tourist attraction for Lecce but positions it as a symbol of oceanic conservation.
The ground floor hosts an immersive art installation reflecting recent oceanic research, enveloping visitors in projected marine imagery. The top floor, sheathed in recycled ocean plastic, both extends the interior and doubles as a community space for lectures, art shows, or film nights against the tower’s medieval walls.
Corten steel ramps offer inclusive access and expansive Adriatic views. This revitalized tower not only boosts Lecce’s tourism but stands as a sentinel for ocean conservation. We envision a future network of such beacon towers championing sea protection.
