Rural centre of contemporary art
Ávila, Spain
Direct commission. Area: 4.000m2
PROJECT DIRECTORS: Juan Herreros and Jens Richter
PROJECT TEAM: Paola Simone
MODEL: Jorge Queipo

The client envisions an international cultural centre that combines an exhibition and educational programme with a residence for artists and the custody of the works and collections of Agustín Ibarrola thus fomenting rural development. The terrain is uneven and tectonically varied with large granite boulders alternating with spectacular evergreen oaks. So we decided to split the programme into different volumes.Therefore we are able to adapt to the topography and create complementary zones in between each volume. The only areas to be landscaped are those that correspond to the maximum shading silhouette of each volume creating habitable outdoor spaces.The layout of a Celtic village provides a contrast between the fragility of the volumes that harmonise with the climate and the atmospheric phenomena to be found at a spot where the geography is severe and stark in nature.The dry construction systems serve to stress the artificiality of the architecture and turn the technical solutions into the driving force for a dialogue with nature, albeit without mimicry or unwarranted occupancy. The library tower and its viewing platform serve to form an observatory that overlooks the entire plateau.
Rural centre of contemporary art
Ávila, Spain
Direct commission. Area: 4.000m2
PROJECT DIRECTORS: Juan Herreros and Jens Richter
PROJECT TEAM: Paola Simone
MODEL: Jorge Queipo
The client envisions an international cultural centre that combines an exhibition and educational programme with a residence for artists and the custody of the works and collections of Agustín Ibarrola thus fomenting rural development. The terrain is uneven and tectonically varied with large granite boulders alternating with spectacular evergreen oaks. So we decided to split the programme into different volumes.Therefore we are able to adapt to the topography and create complementary zones in between each volume. The only areas to be landscaped are those that correspond to the maximum shading silhouette of each volume creating habitable outdoor spaces.The layout of a Celtic village provides a contrast between the fragility of the volumes that harmonise with the climate and the atmospheric phenomena to be found at a spot where the geography is severe and stark in nature.The dry construction systems serve to stress the artificiality of the architecture and turn the technical solutions into the driving force for a dialogue with nature, albeit without mimicry or unwarranted occupancy. The library tower and its viewing platform serve to form an observatory that overlooks the entire plateau.