emodelation of the Former Palencia Complex for Cultural and Civic Center

That a building will be well photographed depends on two things, to have a good photographer behind the project and, fundamentally, a good project. The Manichean notion that architecture is only very good in photographs is not real, or if, when the observer is fixed only on the image and not on the architecture. It may to find a good picture that refers to a building, but not a good series about a building that is not also good. All this prologue is to say, without fanfare, members of Exit again sent us a good project, a reform and recovery as a contemporary building. Too bad it did not happen the same with the prison buildings Vallecas and many others! and instead of generating hundreds of tons of debris, retrieved it for new uses. Congratulations again to the members of Exit!

Interior view courtyard. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

Exit Architects

The former Palencia Provincial Prison complex was created at the end of the XIX century, built with brick bearing walls following the “neomudéjar” style, and composed mainly of four two-storey wings and some other with one storey. On this building was planned a comprehensive refurbishment to transform the former use and convert it into a center that promotes the social and cultural activity in this part of the town.

Our proposal intends to convert the former prison into a meeting place, recovering some of the old spaces, and creating at the same time new structures that make possible the new planned activities. It is a project that respects the existing building, which is given a contemporary, lighter appearance, and where the natural light will play a key role.

With this aim the main two-storey wings have been refurbished, emptying their interior and placing a new independent structure to bear the new floors and roofs. Besides, between the main wings have been built new connecting pavilions, which form the new complex perimeter and give it a modern and friendly aspect.

The whole building is structured around a large hall that connects the 4 halls of the old prison. It is an open space supported only in a slight cylindrical glass courtyards and backbone illuminate the room. For its central location in relation to flags, this space acts as a hub and distributor of users, across the entrance pavilion and reception, are directed towards the other rooms of the Centre.

The lobby gives way to the side pavilions where are the auditorium and several classrooms for music and visual arts. Upstairs, under a large glass skylights, two multipurpose rooms are devoted to larger groups.

For the area dedicated to the library reserve spaces that formerly housed the cells of prisoners. The reading rooms are organized around a central high-rise under an octagonal lantern that acts as a distributor of the different rooms and rushing the vertical cores of communication and control areas and offices.

Finally, access to the Centre carries out through a glass perimeter very light and bright intended as a filter between the city and the activity inside. A structural steel beam travels abroad tying glazed areas with old masonry walls getting an alleged industrial air.

This also contributes the use of metallic materials throughout the intervention, as the zinc facades and roofs, glass and bodies uglass in low and skylights, louvres and aluminum as light filters.

(Italic txt: Exit Architects)

CREDITS

Architects: Ángel Sevillano / José Mª Tabuyo / Eduardo Delgado Orusco.
Client: Ministerio de Fomento / Ayto. de Palencia.
Collaborators: Mario SanJuán, Ibán Carpintero, Miguel Gracía-Redondo, Silvia N. Gómez. Consultant structures: NB35. José Luis Lucero. Consultant facilities. Grupo JG. Juan Antonio Posadas. Consultant Lighting: Manuel Díaz Carretero. Quantity surveyor: Alberto Palencia / José Antonio Alonso.
Contractor: COPISA - CONSTRUCTORA PRIENAICA S.A.
Area: 5.077 m²
Budget:: 9.675.038 euros.
Design project: 2007.
Construction proyect: 2011.

Read less

Interior View. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

View of the skylights. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

Interior stairs. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

Corridor view. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

Roundabout view. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

Auditorium. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

Exterior view remodelation. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

Night view, new courtyards. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

First floor plan. © por Exit Architects.

Ground floor plan. © por Exit Architects.

Exterior night view. Photography © Fernando Guerra.

View more images

Metalocus recommends

Michelin-Starred Canteen by CRA. Photograph by Melania Delle Grave, Agnese Bedini, DSL Studio.

Integration into the landscape. Michelin-Starred Earthen canteen by Carlo Ratti Associati

Selenite by _naturehumaine. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau

An experience of disconnection. Selenite by _naturehumaine

La cabaña del nunca jamás por Ma Yansong/MAD Architects. Fotografía por Zhu Yumeng

Land Art Festival. The Never Hut by Ma Yansong/MAD

More information

ARCHITECTS EXIT

EXIT Architects. They begin their activity in the late nineties winning the contest Museum Easter Hellin, recently completed. The holding of competitions has been the dedication of the study throughout the years, among which are those built as the Public Library in the district of Vallecas (Madrid), Rehabilitation of the former provincial prison in Palencia and Civic Center Cultural Center of Carr Health (Madrid) and several buildings of public housing in Avilés (Asturias), Tortola and Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara).

Among the first prizes in competitions under development include the Visitor Center National Park of Sierra Nevada (Granada), the Health Center Villaverde and the Municipal Library of San Martin de la Vega in Madrid, and the Municipal Stadium Heritage (Ciudad Real).

They have also won numerous awards and citations, highlighting the second prizes at the Parque Litoral Norte de Santander, the National Museum of Forest Energy in Ponferrada, the Civic-Cultural Center Santa Cruz de Bezana in Cantabria, the Heritage Auditorium and Space Cultural Miguelturra, both in Ciudad Real and the Auditorium and Congress Palace of Santa Eulalia in Ibiza, as well as those obtained in the different editions of Europan: Aviles (2001), Guadalajara (2003) and Calahorra (2007).

Also, as private commissions have finished two schools in Las Rozas and Guadarrama, the Parish Center "San Jose" in Guadalajara, and Several housing Developments in Madrid and Guadalajara, as well as Reforms of houses.

Ángel Sevillano (Ciudad Real 1972) and José Mª Tabuyo (La Coruña 1972) are architects by the School of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and founding members of EXIT Architects. EXIT Architects is staffed by a team of architects from various parts of Spain working partners to integrate knowledge and experience of each of its members, and deal with the most reputable and professional work capacity.

Ibán Carpintero (Madrid 1972) and Mario Sanjuán (Madrid 1972) are architects by the School of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and founding members of EXIT Architects. EXIT Architects is staffed by a team of architects from various parts of Spain working partners to integrate knowledge and experience of each of its members, and deal with the most reputable and professional work capacity.