The studio Martín Lejarraga oficina de Arquitectura has been in charge of the rehabilitation of the original building located in Cartagena, maintaining its latent qualities. The intervention, which also has an extension part, has been carried out in two differentiated and complementary strata.

The materials used try to assume the texture and colour of the urban landscape of the city while enhancing the priority reading of the facade.
For the extension, Martín Lejarraga oficina de arquitectura executes a volume with a differential presence, which establishes the opportune dialogue between the historical legacy and the current reality. The facade of the new apartments consists of blue ceramic elements that create a contrast between the two levels of the project. The interiors are distributed adapting to the configuration of original gaps and setbacks, always generating a contrast with the existing building.

"The only act that can be described as historical is that which in some way introduces something additional, a new element in the world from which a new story can be created that continues the thread of the previous one".
"Barry Bergdoll, "Karl Friedrich Schinkel. An architecture for Prusia"
 

Description of project by Martín Lejarraga oficina de arquitectura

The project rehabilitates the original building through the recovery and preservation of its latent historical and architectural qualities. The intervention provides the necessary perspective to emphasize the value of its unique characteristics and revitalize both the building and the surrounding urban area.

The architectural solution for the set is conceived as an integral and continuous intervention resolved in two differentiated and complementary strata.

The surface treatment of the historic facade assumes, from the restoration of the original materials, the family of textures and colors of the urban landscape of the city. Thus, the environmental materials (tabaire stone, brick, stucco, zinc) enhance the priority reading of the cataloged facade.

On the existing construction, a volume of a new plan with a differential presence is executed, which establishes the opportune dialogue between the historical legacy and the current reality. The new volume learns from the intrinsic conditions of the existing building, adopting for itself as its own the same plant heights, the proportion of the openings in the façade, the relation of full and empty spaces, and the pregnancy of the structural axes. In this way, the upper part adapts to these conditions from a sinuous configuration that contrasts with the geometric rigor, of military order, of the historic building that from its position overlooks the Naval Arsenal of the city.

The contrast between the two levels of the project is further emphasized by the blue ceramic modular elements that make up the transversalized facade of the new apartments and that generate a continuous and recognizable image. In addition, the recesses with respect to the historic façade, beyond the one above the already built, are destined for terraces and pools that complement the apartments on the outside.

Inside, the distribution of the houses adapts to the original hole configuration, producing different types, depending on the capacity and qualities of each of them.

The corridors and interior common areas are generated from the contrast with the existing building; the curved lines together with a blue ceramic finish that floods everything, give these spaces a feeling of homogeneity and fluidity as happens on the outside.
 
Altogether, the Tívoli building is presented to the city as a piece capable of activating the environment thanks to a controlled and respectful as well as contemporary and distinguishable performance. An action that, maintains the intrinsic value of a building of the early 20th century, gives it a new and optimized program and presence.

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Promoter
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Saratoga Properties S.L.
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Area
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3871 m²
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Dates
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2018
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Photography
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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

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