Pinnacle- ReUse the Fortress

-Background
Chatel-Argent is an ancient fortress, built in a stategic position, on a rocky terrace overlooking the community of Villeneuve and its river. The fortress was built during the 12th and 13th centuries, then the complex underwent progressive neglect and decay in the following centuries.
Today the ruin shows the traces of its main structures: there are two distinct walls built in different eras, the outer walls could accommodate up to 2000 people while the inner ones surround the cylindrical tower; a chapel is embedded in the north-eastern part of the outer walls.

- An Image of Hiking and Exploration
A massive, continuous, lightweight tensioned canvas fabric canopy system is proposed in the design to cover the main structure of the visitor center facility, which locates
itself along the relatively flat terrain between the tower and church. Reshaping the skyline profile, the canopy elevates the ambience and experience of the currently
decadent historic site. As a morphed form of a tent – an image symbolic for explorers – the canopy is lifted subtly to construct both the imagery and atmosphere of a
protected sanctuary.
- A Continuous Path of Circulation
The dramatic elevation change of the site renders the necessity to create routes of circulation that allow visitors to smoothly move around in the entire facility complex.
Instead of traditional ramps and stairs, the design proposes a sloped roof deck underneath the fabric canopy that extends from the tower castle to the new front terrace
plaza of the church. Bridging between the re-programed tower as immersive gallery and church as café, while also connected to the lower main program levels with two
vertical cores, the roof deck is envisioned to serve as a “hub” of visitor experience on site. The deck not only provides sufficient space and a clear route of circulation but
also functions as a major protected observation platform.
- An Integrated Mini Complex
The overall facility is planned with multiple programs that are laid out spatially to create an unified yet rich experience. Inside the tower castle it is proposed to insert a
steel frame to both reinforce the old structure and to be utilized as a base for immersive art experience combined with the spiral stairs. Around the tower the outdoor
cinema area is directly connected to the sloped roof deck which is an access point for all other program spaces of the facility. Typical visitor center functions are located
on the main program floor right underneath the roof deck, including reception, temporary gallery / exhibition, staff office, public restrooms and so on. Lodging units are
placed at a lower elevation following the terrain without blocking the views from both upper roof deck and main level terraces. On the far side of the site, the current
church is re-purposed with expanded interior area to become the main café and bar of the complex.