ECHO
Lago di Resia, Italie, 2025
Restaurant immergé sur les ruines d’un village englouti
Concours pour IdoArchi
Info
Design for a restaurant next to the old bell tower of Resia, the only remnant still standing above the water of the lake of the village flooded by the construction of a dam.
Reflections
Inspired by traditional bridge architecture, the design unfolds along the waterline and offers the possibility to step into the physical reflection of the above-water structure. Inside, the building’s full scale is revealed as it descends underwater in an inverted colonnade, mirroring the arches above and blurring the boundary between reality and reflection. The material palette – brick above water and stone below – reinforces the architectural symmetry and makes use of their respective constructive qualities, while stained glass patterns shape the atmosphere with changing light and color
Public Memory
The proposed intervention starts from a wood pontoon bringing the visitors from the bank all the way to the base of the tower, where the building anchors itself to the pontoon and extends a colonnade along its side, creating a public space that seems to float on the water’s surface.
In winter, the glowing arches are visible through the falling snow as visitors approach across the frozen lake. In warmer months, the pontoon serves as access to the restaurant and bar, transforming into a lively guinguette. The bar, floating above the water, connects with the landscape, while the restaurant dives underwater for a unique atmosphere amongst the ruins of the ancient village and bringing back to sight the history of the place.
Sur les vestiges
D’un village englouti,
Un clocher s’élève
Mémoire d’un lieu,
Milieu d’un lac bleu,
Colonnade symétrique
Jeux de reflet
Amène à visiter
Les décombres du passé.
Descendez l’escalier
Et venez festoyer,
Dans la profondeur,
Des couleurs chatoyantes.