Building a Sustainable Future with Wood: Rethinking Certosa Island
Building a Sustainable Future with Wood: Rethinking Certosa Island by Bokeikhan Kamza, Rani Lorenzana, Tanvee Joshi
Certosa Island: history and background
Certosa Island, Venice, has a rich history, from a monastic settlement to Napoleon's invasion and subsequent centuries of abandonment. Our proposal revitalizes this historic island through sensitive refurbishment of ruins, and treehouses, with wood as the primary material and stone as a secondary complement to reflect its heritage.
Research and Inspiration
We explored Venice’s history, where wood and stone have shaped its architectural legacy. Photographs from the site visit captured the island’s serene atmosphere and unique elements, sparking ideas for our project. Lessons from the course enriched our understanding of wood construction, which we incorporated into the design.
Our guiding principle was a minimal intervention to preserve the island's tranquility. The masterplan remains largely intact, with subtle adjustments to pathways and routes, reflecting our ethos of simplicity throughout the process.
Key Design Features
1. Refurbishment of Ruins
During our visit, we noticed wooden elements and frames supporting the collapsing brick structures of the existing cloister. These inspired us to adopt Chidori joints, a traditional Japanese wood-joining technique known for its precision and elegance. After site analysis and extensive brainstorming, we envisioned a revitalized cloister balancing preservation with functionality.
The cloister now houses exhibition spaces, a cafeteria, terraces, open areas, and small living units. The central courtyard remains untouched, fostering creativity with space for artist installations or performances.
To restore the cloister’s silhouette, we added its historical hip roof and a modern second floor of glass for transparency and light. Wooden frames support bricks, glass, and the roof, while forming multifunctional elements like seats, bookshelves, an amphitheater, and staircases.
2. Treehouses
Inspired by the island’s natural beauty, the treehouses are entirely wooden. Innovative sliding walls allow residents to adapt their living spaces, opening up to nature or closing for privacy and energy efficiency.
3. Bell Tower: A Beacon of the Past and Future
Venetian islands are known for their iconic towers, and to honor Certosa’s history, we proposed reconstructing its lost bell tower. It serves as a beacon for sailors from the Lido gate, a landmark to identify Certosa, and an observation point with views of nearby islands like Lido and Sant’Elena. The bell within symbolizes the island’s revival and ties to its legacy.
Sustainability and Serenity
Our design respects Certosa’s character and natural beauty by using wood and stone, materials tied to Venice’s heritage. The minimal-impact approach ensures the island’s identity is preserved, blending sustainability with thoughtful interventions.
This proposal bridges past and future, offering visitors an immersive experience of the island’s history alongside a vision of sustainable innovation.