light blue steel structure by caarpa transforms historic italian church into event hall

caarpa reimagines Historic site as conference and event hall

Genoa-based architecture studio caarpa completes the renovation of the Nostra Signora della Costa church, a historic site nestled in the Ligurian village of Levanto, Italy, with roots predating its 14th-century consecration. The project reinvents the sacred space as a conference and event hall, installing a steel cantoria, the Italian term for a choir gallery.

The linear design of this additional element contrasts with the historical ornamentation of the church while maintaining a sense of harmony. Two curved capitals interrupt its clean, minimalist form, subtly nodding to classical elements. This contemporary structural addition introduces a vertical division, creating a private upper level. Finished in a soft light blue, the steel frame integrates concealed technical systems and extends upward into a spiral staircase. Clad in micro-perforated metal panels, the staircase offers an intimate perspective on the restored 18th-century stucco work.

all images by Anna Positano, courtesy of caarpa

a steel cantoria breathes new life into the italian church

While the cantoria transforms the space, caarpa’s restoration work celebrates the layered history of the church. The apse and presbytery frescoes—depicting scenes like the Annunciation and Visitation to St. Elizabeth—were meticulously restored. Contrastingly, the walls of the main hall retain visible traces of 20th-century interventions, their pastel hues, marks, and missing plaster consolidated into an aesthetic that reflects the informal history of the building.

Stripped side altars were treated with lime putty, softening their worn edges, with the cleaned stuccoes revealing traces of their original colors. Slate tiles, laid in a running pattern with intermittent trim, replace the previous floor, unifying the space with a contemporary yet understated material palette. Above the main hall, the upper floor provides an open space with panoramic views of the hall below. A large trefoil window offers views of Levanto village and the Ligurian Sea, bringing together the historical richness of the interior with its picturesque surroundings. This restoration embraces the layered narrative of the church, celebrating its heritage while reinterpreting its role for modern use. The steel cantoria serves as a bridge—both literally and figuratively—between past and present, offering a spatial language that enhances the historic architecture without overshadowing it.

Genoa-based architecture studio caarpa completes the renovation of the Nostra Signora della Costa church

Nostra Signora della Costa church’s historical significance

The layered history of Nostra Signora della Costa mirrors the passage of time. Initially consecrated in 1334—though likely older—it flourished through the centuries, transitioning from a community church to a possession of the Genoese Da Passano family in 1528. Significant 18th-century renovations enriched its interior with frescoes, stuccoes, and an expanded presbytery. However, its grandeur faded after World War II, as successive ownership changes led to neglect. Key elements were sold or dismantled, leaving behind little but its portal and a bas-relief of St. George by Giovanni Giacchini.

In recent decades, the church served various functions, including housing a hotel management school, before its acquisition in 2018 by PF Economy. Tasked with revitalizing the space, caarpa embarked on this sensitive restoration, balancing its historical significance with a new purpose as a venue for conferences, seminars, and events.

the roots of the building predate its 14th-century consecration