Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent
27/07/2012.
By David Closes arquitectes [Santpedor] Spain
metalocus, LUIS DE GREGORIO
metalocus, LUIS DE GREGORIO
Located in the small Catalan town of Santpedor, the Sant Francesc convent has been rescued from the ruin with an interesting intervention by the architect David Closes. Built in the eighteenth century by the Franciscan priests, the convent had a turbulent life; sacked in 1835, the convent began to suffer a process of progressive deterioration of the building, finally being demolished in 2000. As a result only the church remained standing in a completely ruinous state.
Aerial view. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
entrance view. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
Church interior view. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
Entries of natural light produced by partial roof collapses. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
Staircase. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
Exterior volumes. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
Exterior volumes. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
Night view from the exterior. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
Entrance view. Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent by David Closes arquitectes. Photograph © Jordi Surroca.
General Plan © David Closes.
Floor plans © David Closes.
Sección transversal © David Closes.
Section © David Closes.
Longitudinal section © David Closes.
The project was aimed to convert the Church into an auditorium and a multifunctional cultural facility. The intervention has consolidated the church without deleting the process of deterioration and collapse that the building had suffered. The project has maintained the dimensions of the church interior space and, also, the unusual entries of natural light produced by partial roof collapses. Rather than reconstructing the church, the intervention has just consolidated the old fabric distinguishing clearly the new elements executed of the original ones. The renovation carried out allows to read historical wounds and the building's most important spatial values without giving up the use of contemporary language in the new elements introduced in the intervention.
The new programmatic volumes inserted (as vertical accesses or technical equipment) have been located partially outside of the church with the aim of preserving the inner space unity of the nave. In addition, the new stairs and ramps provide an unwonted circular route across the building with amazing and diverse views.
The intervention preserves the historical heritage of the building and simultaneously adds new values which highlight and singularize the ancient church in a contemporary way. In the future, a final phase will complete the project by placing a historical archive on the upper floors of the south side of the church.
Project: Auditorium in the church of Sant Francesc convent.
Architect: David Closes.
Collaborators: Dídac Dalmau (construction engineer), BOMA (structures consultants), Toni Vila (industrial engineer), Jordi Surroca (photographer).
Date of project: 2005 (1st phase), 2010 (2nd phase).
Location: Santpedor (Catalonia). Spain.
Area: 950 m2.
Client: Santpedor City Council.
Execution: 2006-2008 (1st phase), 2010-2011 (2nd phase).
Cost: 1.601.553 euros (vat included).
