Reflection of an underground world. Aigües de Vilajuiga by Luis Twose + Two-Bo
24/09/2020.
[Vilajuiga - Girona] Spain
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
In the “Aigües de Vilajuïga” complex located on the Empordà plain between the Rodes and Albera mountains, Luis Twose + Two-Bo has developed the reform and rehabilitation project of the factory facilities, which represents an important part of the exploitation of the mineral water deposit.
The area to be intervened, made up of wells and various constructions, are the reflection of the underground world of the carbonated water aquifer, which directly conditions the project elaborated.
The area to be intervened, made up of wells and various constructions, are the reflection of the underground world of the carbonated water aquifer, which directly conditions the project elaborated.
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo. Photograph by José Hevia
Previous state floor plan. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Project floor plan. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Farmhouse and stables floor plan. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Ground floor of auditorium. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Constructive section. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Section and scheme. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Axonometry. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Construction. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Construction. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Construction. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Sketch. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
Sketch. Aigües de Vilajuïga by Twobo
The project developed by Luis Twose + Two-Bo aims to create a closeness to the water element. This is achieved thanks to the descent to discover the water in its natural environment and thus be able to come into contact with this element.
To achieve this purpose, the intervention consisted of digging around a large circular tank that sank more than 6 meters above the ground. The excavation around the basin allowed the curved wall to be seen, through which the interior of the basin can be accessed.
To achieve this purpose, the intervention consisted of digging around a large circular tank that sank more than 6 meters above the ground. The excavation around the basin allowed the curved wall to be seen, through which the interior of the basin can be accessed.
Description of project by Luis Twose + Two-Bo
“Aigües de Vilajuïga” is a building complex that cannot be understood without the essence and presence of the water flowing under it. An underground aquifer of carbonated water that has flown non-stop since 1904. The wells and the buildings scattered in the area are the tip of a world that has never seen the light of day.
How do you shine light on something that takes place underground?
The project had different tasks. Fitting the factory installations, wells, storage facilities and building new training facilities, exhibition showrooms and office spaces.
And we changed nothing… on the surface. The atmosphere of what was there seemed timeless and worth keeping intact. An old 19th century farmhouse (which remained long after everything else around it passed) became our framework: We cleaned and organized the main house, small blocks and modernist building unveiling forgotten details that captivated us.
And we changed everything… underground. We wanted to go close to the source. Make the experience of going deep for the water something tangible for visitors. Dig, descend and bring to the spotlight what's usually hidden.
In the middle of the garden, concealed behind a wall of cypress trees we found a huge circular water tank that went 6 meters deep. This was our shot at going down below and expose the foundations of Vilajuïga.
We dug around the tank until we could see the round wall from the outside. And through the wall we stepped inside, displacing the water to a layer on top and using its reflections to fill up this new space, like memories enabled by skylights in the ceiling. Submerged skylights. The rest was simple. The gardens were remade as if nothing had happened.
We made way for two things into this underground site: light and people. The first one slips in like waterfalls, scattering freely from the skylights vertical drop. The second one, people, is meant to walk down ramps, slowly, like swimming, from the bright surface into the twilight where the water used to flow quietly.
The site and the tank, undisturbed, speaks of the permanence of Vilajuïga. The ramp suggests movement on to the next stage.
More information
Architects
Luis Twose + Two-Bo.
Collaborators
Anna Sala, Raquel Vicente, Ourania Chamilaki. Structures.- Bernuz-Fernadez.
Client
Private.
Area
1,150 m².
Dates
2019.
Location
Vilajuiga, Girona, Spain.
Fotografía
José Hevia.
Pablo Twose, María Pancorbo, Alberto Twose. Twobo
Twobo is a family office with more than 10 years of experience, formed by Pablo Twose, María Pancorbo and Alberto Twose. Offering interior design, landscaping, technical architecture services, up to a works management and control team.
In addition, they edit the experimental magazine Engawa, a collaborative publication on Art and Architecture.
In addition, they edit the experimental magazine Engawa, a collaborative publication on Art and Architecture.
Categories
Our selection
