Launched by Autority for Research & Conservation of Cultural Heritage in close collaboration with UNESCO and the UIA, the International Union of Architects, and the European Commission – EuropeAid Co-operation Office.

 

 

First prize
2001- “Lalibela Detailed Design Study of Shelters”. Tender Dossier
Construction: 2004-2005

 

 

Architectural Design: Claudio Baldisserri (chief architect), Lorenzo Sarti, Aldo Aymonino
Foundations and Structural Design: Massimo Majowiecki
Topografich, Geotechnical and Geophysical experts: Mario Chinni, Michele Ansaloni, Massimo Matteini, Alessandro Farolfi
Geological and Hydrological expert: Leonardo Lombardi
Project Manager: Mario Sarti
Technical staff: Silvio D'Amore, Stefano Dosi, Stefania Bulzoni, Marcello Giovagnoni, Alessandro de Laurentiis, Paolo Calvi.

 

 

The “ambe”, that flat-topped mountains that encircle Lalibela, seem almost to support the sky. The color is cobalt blue, as it only can be at that height, and the mountains are the pylons on which the sky leans, as it will for all time. The churches now need some temporary – but not eternal – protection, for the period of their restoration. We have thought of an artificial – even “technological”- sky. In fact we have frames of translucent Tevlar burlap, that lets the light pass through but keeps out the sun and the rain. These are attached to steel cables at the edges that are in turn attached to pylons. This makes for an absolutely rigid structure even though it appears to be like a handkerchief held at the corners. It will resist the wind and rain. These skies will be illuminated at night. The optical fibres integrated into the frames of burlap, can portray the great crosses that are symbolic to the Ethiopian Ortodox Church. These images will appear like great stars near their churches. The pylons are covered with sheathing of thin layers of eucalyptus complete with a profile of a head and pieces of metallic frame-work shaped like wings. They could be said to symbolize the angels who, the legend says, came to build these churches and who have now come, in the third millennium, to protect them.