Title

Author(s)

Simone Gheduzzi

Affiliation

diverserighestudio

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/IWCD3262

Keywords

Memory, Dialogue, Reawakening

PP

411-417

How to Cite

Gheduzzi, Simone. “Silent resonances: Circus Arts Center in a Deconsecrated Church.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 411–417. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

The regeneration project of the former Church of San Barbaziano in Bologna, a late Manerist building designed by Pietro Fiorini and completed in 1608, represents a significant example of combining historical preservation with cultural innovation. After decades of neglect and misuse, the building is now undergoing an intervention promoted by the Ministry of Culture, as part of an experimental program granting use to third-sector organizations. The goal is to revitalize and return these cultural spaces to public use. The winning project, presented by AICS Provincial Committee of Bologna APS in collaboration with Eden ASDAPS, plans to transform the building into a center for documentation, training, and experimentation dedicated to the performing and circus arts. This adaptive reuse recognizes the historical value of the site while activating new cultural functions. The concept explores the dialogue between the original sacredness of the ecclesiastical space and the creative energy of contemporary circus arts, turning the church into a place that celebrates human creativity. The interior layout, an integral part of the restoration process, complements and enhances the building, making its cultural regeneration fully accessible and meaningful. To protect the original architecture, the central nave is left open, while modular freestanding structures are placed in the side niches. These structures are designed to respect the existing openings and preserve natural lighting conditions, thus ensuring functionality and accessibility without altering the original structure. The chosen materials, inspired by the poetics of Michelangelo Pistoletto, include mirrored surfaces that foster a direct interaction between object, viewer, and space, amplifying environmental perception and establishing a symbolic dialogue between body, architecture, and memory. More than a functional setup, the installation acts as a narrative device, marking a new chapter in the church’s history. It restores value to a forgotten heritage site, promoting a contemporary and inclusive interpretation of its layered past.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.