We are faced by the third intervention of bab Arquitectos that completes the action carried out in the Monastery of Santa María del Paular in Rascafría, an ancient Carthusian monastery of great importance from its foundation in 1390 to the 19th century.

Located on the Madrid side of the Sierra de Guadarrama, between Cuerda Larga and the Peñalara peak, it is characterized for being a solitary and isolated place where tranquility predominates, essential characteristics that the Carthusian order pursued.
After the museum adaptation and the refurbishment of the barn and gardens of the Monastery of Santa María del Paular, bab Arquitectos carried out the rehabilitation of the Cloister of Legos as a reception for visitors.

The Cloister of Legos and its outbuildings are chosen as a visitor reception center due to its advantages and its location since it is not related to the religious practices carried out in it, but in turn serves as a connection for both visitors to the exhibitions as for those interested in the monastery.
 

Project description by bab Arquitectos Asociados

The constant increase in visitors to the monastery required a reception center where the historical dimension and architectural identity of the complex were adequately exposed and sufficient services were provided for this purpose.

The location of the lego cloister and its dependencies on the southern strip (previously abandoned and unused) presented a series of advantages that undoubtedly made this location the most suitable place to install the essential visitor reception center. Firstly, the reception of visitors at this point, away from the church, does not interfere with religious practices, and secondly, it allows the center to be used, both by visitors interested in the monastery, for its exhibitions and cultural events that they are carried out inside, as well as those attracted by the garden, archaeological remains or the heritage and landscape values ​​of its surroundings. Finally, the situation in this area, together with parking and access, makes it a suitable information and meeting place for visitors and hikers in general of the Guadarrama National Park.

The project has, in the first place, an information, control and shop area, which will occupy the southern area of ​​the cloister. Secondly, a restoration of the cloister galleries as a preparatory exhibition room for the visit. Finally, a landscaping adaptation of the exterior and the garden.

The works carried out initially consisted of eliminating the causes of deterioration of the area, creating sanitation floors, buffers, drains, etc. Subsequently, the restoration of the walls and vaults of the cloister was carried out and the new pavilion for the store and reception was carried out.

The intervention criteria have focused on the consideration of architectural legality, taking care not to introduce extrinsic elements and magnify those that are an essential part of its architectural values.

The intervention in the exterior spaces around the cloister pursues a double objective; the landscaping of the new entrances and the interpretation of the wall structures of the old cells of the Carthusian brothers through plant elements. The main element is the incorporation of trellises on which the plantation will climb, forming green walls.

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Architects
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Project team
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Eduardo Barceló de Torres, Mercedes Álvarez García, Ignacio Barceló de Torres, Carlos Martín Echevarría, Javier Galiana and María Barceló.
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Collaborators
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Quantity surveyor.- Javier Moralo Iza. Archaeologist.- Stratum Archeology.
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Client/Developer
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Subdirección General del Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España. Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte.
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Area
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642.32 m²
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Dates
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2014-2017
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Budget
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€998,075.48
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Location
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Monasterio de Santa María del Paular, Rascafría. Madrid, Spain.
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Photography
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BAB arquitectos was founded in 2001, although its founding partners, Eduardo Barceló de Torres, Mercedes Álvarez García and Ignacio Barceló de Torres, collaborated together since 1975. In 2017, three new professional partners joined, who had long been part of from the BAB team of architects: Rafael Canneti Heredia, María Barceló Álvarez and Enrique Barceló Cabeza.

The team has extensive experience of more than 30 years in the development of architectural projects, both new construction and rehabilitation and renovation of historic buildings, and intervention projects on the urban scene and in the landscape. It has the resources and knowledge necessary to provide an integral service to the client and to carry out the multidisciplinary development of the works, with the participation of architects, landscapers, technical architects, engineers, geographers, archaeologists, historians and restorers.

BAB arquitectos has had a continuous relationship with the teaching activity participating in masters, conferences and congresses and has dedicated an extensive space to the documentation and publication of their work.

Awards.-
- Culture Prize of the Community of Madrid 2018 to Eduardo Barceló de Torres and team for the contribution of their actions on the historical heritage to the sociocultural development of the Community of Madrid.
- National Award for Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Property 2014 in the modality "Best project for the conservation of cultural property carried out or made public during 2013", for the Master Plan for the Recovery of the Cultural Heritage of Lorca.
- Finalist category in the XII Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism 2013: "New Plaza del Cerrillo and sociocultural facilities".
- Selected category in the XII Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism 2013: "Rehabilitation of the Maestro Almeida house-museum".
- EUROPA NOSTRA 2001 Diploma for the Protection of the European Architectural and Natural Heritage: "Remodeling of the Plaza de Segovia de Navalcarnero".
- Mention in the XII Urbanism, Architecture and Public Works Awards 1997 of the Madrid City Council: "Remodeling of the Plaza de la Paja in Madrid".
- 1998 Architecture and Housing Quality Award of the Autonomous Community of Madrid: "Restoration of the Transparent of the Monastery of Santa María de El Paular".
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