Fairytale palace as student dormitory. Loop Homes Palace by Martín Lejarraga
21/04/2020.
[Granada] Spain
metalocus, JOAN MARSET
metalocus, JOAN MARSET
Project description by Martín Lejarraga
The proposal brings to date and transforms two 19th century palaces into a modern university dormitory. The change of use, always with a major respect to the existing building, is conceived in a strong and recognizable way, by the incorporation of contemporary architectonic elements and furniture which are clearly different of the original architecture.
The group of buildings result from the sum of two mansions joint by a connection gallery, which are very special due to its typology and compositional characteristics with a great cultural, historical and architectonic significance. This is the reason why the palaces’ main elements need to be preserved and protected.
The project restores the main spaces, that organize the original buildings, by a series of discreet architectonic interventions. Therefore, the noble spaces; chapels, saloons, and patios, are updated keeping their essence, providing the building an image of continuity. Each of the spaces of the dormitory acquire an own and unique character. The majestic inner patios with their double and triple heights, as well as the rest of living and gathering spaces are boost with their new finishes, furniture and specified lighting with lamps expressly designed for each of the rooms.
Dorms and secondary rooms are intervened integrally, in order to adjust them to the current needs. The bedrooms are different, occupying one to four people. In all of them the partitioning is minimized -using the appropriate and personalized equipment- to get an optimum and functional distribution.
Furniture plays a leading role in the intervention, becoming a driving tool for the organization of the whole project program. The ad-hoc design of the furniture has a strong functional and formal reason; from the reinterpretation of the classic elements of the original palaces, a solution for the new use as a collective equipment is given. Thanks to this and to the recovery of the exterior patios and gardens, the proposal offers a group image in accordance with the aesthetics of the past look of the original buildings.
In addition, the palatial constructions -family housing spaces- are updated to the c. XXI into a collective housing place following the nowadays rigorous standards of energetic and programmatic efficiency.
Martín Lejarraga. Architect by Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid - ETSAM (1987), with office in Cartagena, Murcia, since 1991.
Works selection:
- New buildings:
Loop Inn Hostel (Cartagena), Public and primary school ^Nuestra Señora del Rosario^, Library and Reading Park (Torre Pacheco), University Campus (Lorca), MUCAB (Blanca), House for a Swimmer (Espinardo), Elevator - Access - Civil War Shelters and mixed-use building (Cartagena), 8 Social Housing (La Unión), Rural Activity Center (Cartagena), General Services Building and Support Centre for Research and development - CAID (Murcia) and Military Navy Headquarters (Cartagena).
- Rehabilitation:
Tivoli building restoration and extension (Cartagena), Loop Homes Palace – Rehabilitation of palatial patio houses from 19th century for residence (Granada), Rehabilitation and adaptation of the building for Student Center ^Casa del Estudiante^ (Cartagena), Casa Dorda building restoration and extension (Cartagena), Housing-Study for a painter (Cartagena), Housing for a painter and two cats (Cartagena), MURAM – Aguirre Palace restoration and extension (Cartagena), Public Library – Rehabilitation of San Joaquin and San Pascual Convent (Cieza) and Rehabilitation of Military Navy Hospital and Antigones Barracks (Cartagena).
- Interior design:
CANANA LA Brew Pub (La Aljorra), El Cuervo Jazz Bar (Cartagena), MARINO Take Away (Cartagena), iGarpe Offices (San Javier), Principal Bar 1-2 (Cartagena).
- Creative and Exhibition Spaces:
Art Galleries My Name´s Lolita Art (Valencia, Madrid), T-20 (1-2) (Murcia), Espacio Artes Visuales (EAV-Murcia),
Stands in Orgatec and Marmomacc, Arco Stand 2007/00, Chicago 2003/02, La Naval Art Gallery (Arco’08).
Awards selection:
BOY Awards 2018/14, Murcia Regional Architecture Award 2015/11/07/05/03/1997/95/92, BIGMAT Award 2011, FAD Award 2011(Finalist 2019/11/05/04/03/01), Spanish Architecture Biennale 2011/09/05/1998, SIMA Cities Award 2008, COAM Award 2005, Saloni Award 2004, Comunidad Valenciana Architecture Award 2001- finalist, 5th Biennal European of Landscape - Selection, Metápolis 2-3 Encounters.
Associate professor in Architecture School of Cartagena. Guest professor in Architecture Schools such as Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and i42 Institute of Murcia.
Interferences and Collaborations with Plastic Artists and other disciplines.
Creator of ^Fachadas^ project.
Co-Director / Editor of La Naval.
Act.>. 11-2012/10-2019