Prace studialne i projektowe nad rewaloryzacją fortyfikacji miasta Kapui

Within the first half of 1971 the author of the present, acting on the joint appointment by the UNESCO and the Corporation of the Town of Capua, (Italy) prepared a series of surveys and studies covering a wide subject of conservation and rehabilitation of the Renaissance and modern bastion fortifications in Capua. The five-month period of works comprised their following stages: (1) historical investigations (making the use of the available written records the author, as the first person dealing with these materials, has prepared the history of evolution of Capuan fortifications), (2) the photogrammetric and field survey of objects, (3) the on-spot investigations of the state of preservation and of historical „strata” present in buildings, (4) the conservator’s recommendations, (5) the basic design of adaptation to the new functions. The design prepared by the author can not be considered as one supplying the possibility of its immediate realization. It should be regarded as one of rather directive character, since using both graphical and descriptive means of expression it covered a number of recommendations and hints for the future designers who may deal with architectural solutions of the separate elements of the entire complex. The above recommendations have been formulated in a manner excluding any restrictions as to the means of their creative ingenuity that may prove necessary to achieve the suitable detailed technical solutions. Nevertheless, as precisely as possible and in the forms binding for the future designers were formulated both requirements and prohibitive measures being a result of some reasons permanent as to their nature, i.e. those connected with the historical value, rules of the properly carried out conservation and adaptation of historic buildings and so forth. According to wish of promoters as the main objective for designing has been adopted that of converting the system of fortifications into a recreational and entertainment centre. In his endeavours to meet the above requirements the author has laid the main emphasis on such development of the space available that would permit to avoid even a slightest loss of historical values of that historical complex and at the same time to limit as far as possible the extent of deformations of its visual values. The above rules should, no doubt, be considered as the sine qua non requirements in every kind of adaptation but, unfortunately, it can even too frequently be seen that they are entirely neglected by most persons who are responsible for adaptation of historic buildings. In the author’s design the space to be occupied by the future recreational and entertainment centre has been split into the two sub-complexes, namely this named the South Complex stretching along the longer bastion front and that named the North Complex along the shorter front. As a matter of fact, the fortifications forming the latter complex are considerably less rich as to their forms when compared with those belonging to that southern, but the balance between the two has been obtained through the planning of a new centre of water sports within the site occupied by the northern sub-complex. The thus designed artificial lake has been isolated from both river and town by the planned green belts formed of new plantings composed of tall trees and also of low-growing plants. Within the southern sub-complex the author suggests to make the use of fosse as a promenade whereas in bastions and ravelins to locate some components of recreational and cultural centre as, for instance, museums of both types, i.e. the in-door and out-door, a space for the open-air „sound and light” performances, an amphitheatre fitted with a light-weight demountable metallic construction as well as a kindergarten, cafeterias, restaurants etc. As an element lin king both parts is to be treated the town itself. The whole complex has been designed to be able to receive the considerable numbers of visitors in which connection it has been proposed by the author to convert the former military barracks into hotels and to build a number of new hotels in the town. The design discussed above was in July 1971 displayed in an exhibition organized by the UNESCO at Capua where it gained general approval.