Adaptive Reuse of the Santa Maria del Piano Abbey: Sensual Harmony Meditation Retreat

This thesis explores an adaptive reuse solution for an abandoned church, Santa Maria del Piano in Orvinio, Italy by designing a mediative space that encourages the use of 5 senses and focuses on mindfulness. It aims to expose how contemplative architecture can revitalize historic structures thoughtfully through spatial design and contextual sensitivity. The centered proposal involves designing an underground space under the church ruins to serve as a meditation space capable of evoking silence and stimulating all five senses. Focus is given to design rooted in topography, integration, adaptive reuse strategies, preservation of historical ruins, and balance among spaces. At an organizational level, this project involves site evaluation, archival investigation, literature review on religious and adaptive reuse programs. The result is a story in space that captures the reverent stillness of the abbey while transforming it with architectural elements. Finally, the research shows that adaptive reuse is a creative and ethical solution which deeply goes beyond mere preservation of tangible heritage and transforms it emotionally and culturally. Through design, Sensual Harmony Meditation Retreat suggests a future where architecture is experienced with the whole self; not merely seen or analyzed from distance.