PLAY in the RUINS

Sabbioneta is a small Unesco-protected city located in the plains of the Padana region, in northern Italy. Four different elements stand out in the project area. The piece of historical castle wall that reaches the current time separates the inner city and the outer. 

The ruins of the old castle and the historical moat can be understood from historical maps. The existing school building is the most striking element today. The two-and-a-half-meter embankment between the historical wall ruins and the school creates a natural border. The design deals with the relation of the two main functions, the playground and the archaeological site. The playground is considered a place where everyone in the city enjoys themselves instead of just children. The current level differences in the area and traces of the old castle led to the design. With the levelled design strategy, the relation between the ruins and playground bounded and merged the act of play with learning. 

The playscape which is placed inside the inner castle was designed inspired by the excavation area and the elevated topography was created by the soil from the excavation. Outside the castle, the area is designed as a landscape aligned with the green moat concept to highlight the border and its relation with the streets.