sant francesc conversion architecture

The Reconversion of Sant Francesc Convent

sant francesc conversion architecture

In the small town of Santpedor, Spain, David Closes Architects converted The 18th century Sant Francesc Convent 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. I love the geometric modern touch that David Closes brought by mixing new materials with the original ones. The intervention preserves the historical heritage of the building and simultaneously adds new values which highlight and singularity the ancient church in a contemporary way.

sant francesc conversion architecture

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.

sant francesc conversion architecture

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.

sant francesc conversion architecture

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.

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

sant francesc conversion architecture

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.

 

Photographs by Jordi Surroca

 

More information at https://davidcloses.wordpress.com – Discovered at Notcot




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