The elimination of false ceilings and the reappearance of original features of the building such as the vaults, invite the visitor to discover and dignify the original building, highlighting the architectural heritage. Furthermore, by implementing passive strategies, the building reduces its energy consumption.
Multipurpose Hall Palau dels Comtes by Länk Arquitectes. Rendering by Länk Arquitectes.
Project description by Länk Arquitectes
The building was originally built as a church, although it has undergone several renovations throughout its history and has been used for different purposes. Since 1933, after the refurbishment by the municipal architect Claudi Díaz, and up to the present day, the building has been used as a multi-purpose municipal hall, housing a large part of the town's cultural activities.
The site of the former 'Palau dels Comtes' of Castelló (also known as the 'Convent de Sant Domènec' - 17th century), where the church is located, is considered a historic-artistic monument in order to preserve its typological, structural and functional characteristics.
The strategic location of the building within the historical centre of the town is in direct conflict with the hermetic and introverted nature of the building as it stands today. We understand its position as a great opportunity to articulate the public spaces that surround it and to enhance its role as a municipal building that serves and furnishes the community.
The current layout of the building does not favour a polyvalent and versatile use of its spaces. Neither its main entrances, nor the circulations (which are not very circular), nor the mono-orientation of the main stage favour this condition.
Multipurpose Hall Palau dels Comtes by Länk Arquitectes. Rendering by Länk Arquitectes.
The project could be summarised in 3 main goals:
1. Reconnect the building with the surrounding public spaces to reinforce its public and municipal role.
2. To discover and dignify the original building and its main spaces by highlighting the architectural heritage.
3. To provide multi-purpose spaces with different qualities that not only offer greater flexibility and diversity of uses, but also for simultaneous activities.
During the competition phase, we proposed not only the renovation of the building’s interior spaces but also their adaptation to current needs, reconnecting the facility with the adjacent public space. This would activate the area and improve universal accessibility in a complicated part of the town’s historic centre. We proposed to fulfil the need for flexibility with 3 multi-purpose spaces with different qualities that would allow, in addition to greater flexibility of use, the simultaneity of activities. In addition, we implemented passive strategies, taking advantage of the need to rebuild the roof of the building to reduce the future facility’s energy consumption. This approach also involved uncovering the interior architectural heritage that has been concealed or damaged over the years due to numerous alterations made to accommodate different uses.
In order to free up the 3 proposed multi-purpose spaces, it is necessary to re-organise the programme in such a way that all those uses that serve and complement the multi-purpose spaces do not interfere with them.
Multipurpose Hall Palau dels Comtes by Länk Arquitectes. Rendering by Länk Arquitectes.
The new multifunctional spaces in the building, corresponding to the 3 main halls, are:
1. The Foyer, with an entrance from the Plaza del Joc de la Pilota, will reveal the original vaulted ceilings.
2. The Old Theatre, which will recover the original volume of this central space by removing the false ceiling and will incorporate a new skylight in the roof.
3. The 'Sala del Ábside' (former apse), where, by lowering the floor level to the same as Josefina Gambús square, we will discover a space with new proportions. This intervention will dignify the space and allow the full appreciation of the apse and the ribbed vaults of the ceiling
Thanks to the new organisation, these three multi-purpose spaces can be used independently and, when necessary, simultaneously. Each space will have a direct connection with the outdoor public area adjacent to it, enabling activities to take place. In addition, the circulations are arranged in such a way that both the new multifunctional spaces and the outdoor public spaces are connected to each other and can function as a large complex for larger events if desired.
