Thomas Allocca

MWA  |  Medieval Wooden Architecture

V I S I O N   &   M I S S I O N

MWA is a private project by White Oak Arkitecture, launched in March 2024, with the aim of funding and developing historical and archaeological research, and to establish museums with full-scale reconstructions, focused on medieval wooden architecture, considered as a fundamental cultural heritage for European architecture history, an extraordinary source of archetypes for sustainable and resilient present architecture, and a strategic resource for academic-tourism and urban regeneration.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L   R E F E R E N C E S

The MWA project is committed to be aligned with the principles and aims of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Global Compact. The MWA Museums are committed to join the United Nations Gobal Compact.

L O G O

The MWA logo was inspired by the three royal burial mounds (Kungshögarna) at the Norse site of Gamla Uppsala, in Sweden. The three cusps of the letters M and W represent the three royal mounds.

Research and Museums

Krunatun

Started in April 2024, the Krunatun project aims to create a territorial medieval museum, with headquarters in the town of Corleto Monforte (Salerno, Italy), in the heart of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Monti Alburni National Park. The museum will celebrate the history and architecture of the Longobard County that had seat in Corleto Monforte, supposing its establishment around years 570-575 as part of the Ducky of Benevento, then passed to the Principality of Salerno around year 850, ended in 1077 with the Norman conquest.

The results of the first historical and non-invasive archaeological research have been published in December 2024 in the book Krunatun. Corleto Monforte in the Longobard Early Middle Ages. The project is still open.

lead town  Corleto Monforte    partner towns  Altavilla Silentina, Castel San Lorenzo, Felitto, Laurino, Magliano Vetere, Ottati, Sant'Angelo a Fasanella, Serre, Sicignano degli Alburni    research sites  Aquara, Bellosguardo, Campora, Castelcivita, Controne, Conza della Campania, Piaggine, Postiglione, Roccagloriosa, Rofrano, Roscigno, Sacco, San Rufo, Valle dell'Angelo

Helfara

Started in March 2025, the Helfara project aims to create a territorial medieval museum, with headquarters in the town of Sant'Angelo a Fasanella (Salerno, Italy), in the heart of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Monti Alburni National Park. The museum will celebrate the history and architecture of the Longobard fortified settlement, within the territory of the County that had seat in Corleto Monforte (see Krunatun project).

The first historical and non-invasive archaeological research have been focused on the area of the lost Benedictine abbey of the still existing sanctuary-church Grotta di San Michele Arcangelo, where we have found what we suppose are traces of a runic inscription of a Longobard or a Saxon noble's tomb. So far, we have identified traces of 13 runes, with a possible name Edwin. The project is still open.

lead town  Sant'Angelo a Fasanella    partner towns  Corleto Monforte, Ottati