Renovation, improvement and adaptation of the Conference Centre by LAP arquitectos
28/01/2020.
[Córdoba] Spain
metalocus, ANA DIOSDADO
metalocus, ANA DIOSDADO
The architecture firm LAP arquitectos has designed a complex intervention for rehabilitation, improvement and adaptation of the Congress Palace of Córdoba.
The project is developed in an old building, initially projected in 1512 as Hospital de San Sebastián by the architect Hernán Ruiz I, later becoming a nursery after the construction of the Cardinal Salazar hospital in 1724. In 1850 it will be transformed into maternity until 1960s. After renovation by the architect Gerardo Olivares James the building transform in current Congress Palace, in 1985.
The project is developed in an old building, initially projected in 1512 as Hospital de San Sebastián by the architect Hernán Ruiz I, later becoming a nursery after the construction of the Cardinal Salazar hospital in 1724. In 1850 it will be transformed into maternity until 1960s. After renovation by the architect Gerardo Olivares James the building transform in current Congress Palace, in 1985.
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Granada
Site plan. Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos.
Ground floor plan. Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos.
Basement floor plan. Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos.
Intermediate floor plan. Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos.
First floor plan. Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos.
Cross section. Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos.
Longitudinal section. Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos.
Detail section, ceiling. Conference Centre in Cordoba by LAP arquitectos.
LAP arquitectos has designed the first phase of actions in the set, including the rehabilitation of the blue courtyard, the modernization of the auditorium, with increased capacity, flexibility of uses, improvements in functionality and comfort, as well as updating from the facilities of the building in order pay attention to the new requirements of the congresses that it hosts.
The project is characterized by an interesting acoustic ceiling for the auditorium. A wavy element that not only improves reverberation, but generates an elegant, almost Nordic image of the interior.
Outside, a recovery and improvement of the Islamic wall and the adarve that delimited its fortress has been carried out.
The project is characterized by an interesting acoustic ceiling for the auditorium. A wavy element that not only improves reverberation, but generates an elegant, almost Nordic image of the interior.
Outside, a recovery and improvement of the Islamic wall and the adarve that delimited its fortress has been carried out.
Project description by LAP arquitectos
To operate upon an existing building and its surroundings full of history, inevitably implies to take a stance on how to understand the intervention upon its historic heritage as well as its environmental impact. The Conference Centre of Cordoba is set deep in the heart of the Jewish quarter, a few steps away from the Mosque‐Cathedral.
The Conference Centre of Cordoba, whose origin is the old San Sebastian hospital built by Hernan Ruiz in the XVI century, has implied the search of an strategy that could give a new layer or stratum to a building which has suffered numerous interventions during its long existence (life). Therefore it needed a light invasive action with isolated interventions which would enable the elimination of the adding parts, highlighting hidden elements, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere and at the same time incorporating the technical needs for an original and flexible congress space, capable of creating a dialogue with its pre‐existences.
The complex has a traditional typology based on a sequence of voids which brings together the building. Entering by the old chapel of the Hospital and crossing the mudejar patio, we arrive to the second one which supports the restoring and renovation work of the different spaces.
The aforementioned patio, plastered in white and covered by light ribs which outline the sky, constitutes the new hall or entry to the main room of the Conference Centre, creating a new neutral waiting space of transition.
Closing the spatial sequence or fullness and emptiness, we come across the last big patio which leads to the parapet and gathers (puts together) the vernacular patio tradition, that is, fresh and full of vegetation, so that a wide view of the old Andalusian fortress and its triple arcade can be contemplated.
The meeting room, entirely renewed, has been provided with a new technical floor which houses facilities and enables to make disappear part of the seats of the room. The history and uniqueness of its immediate surroundings can be seen through a large window at the bottom of the dais, which allows for enjoying a fragment of the renovated defense wall, highlighting its importance.
The white, geometrical and rigid sides of the room, made up of a sort of acoustic latticework, contrast with a more expressive, light and wavy ceiling which looks like a sheet housing a big part of the facilities, and which ends up reaching the front side, the floor and the back of the room, only interrupted to lodge the stage lights over the dais.
To satisfy the great variety of uses which asks for this kind of spaces, a big room of great flexibility has been designed, supplying it besides the retractable seats, with a mobile wall that creates a room under the amphitheatre, in addition to a system of seats which moves over rails and remains hidden behind some screens, as well as some systems of darkening of the room that enable a right use of the audiovisual mechanism.
More information
Architects
LAP arquitectos. Rafael Pérez Morales, David Pérez Hérranz and Rafael Pérez Herranz
Collaborators
Francisco José Sánchez Caballero (building engineer), Laura Paños Díaz (architect), Ana Gómez Saldaña (building engineer), Antonio Lara Morcillo (architect), Duarte Asociados (structures), JG ingeniers (facilities), Dinac (acoustics).
Client
Consejería de Empleo, Empresa y Comercio .Junta de Andalucía
Main contractor
Tragsa‐ Aldesa
Dates
1st phase, completed.- 10.2018.
Photography
R. Pérez Morales, R. Pérez Herranz, D. Pérez Herranz, L. Paños Díaz. LAP Arquitectos
LAP Arquitectos Asociados is an architecture firm based in Córdoba (Spain) formed by:
Rafael Pérez Morales
Architect and Technical Architect, graduated from the Higher Technical School of Architecture and the University School of Technical Architects of the University of Seville. Throughout his long professional career he has acquired a remarkable experience directing the execution of important projects, with a total of more than 1000 homes, public spaces, restoration and rehabilitation interventions on historical heritage, transport stations, sanitary, administrative buildings, teachers, etc.
Rafael Pérez Herranz
Architect by the Higher Technical School of Architecture of Seville. Advanced Studies Diploma in the E.T.S.A.M. of the Polytechnic University of Madrid within the doctoral program "Housing projects and institutional buildings". He has been a collaborator of the Department of Architectural Projects of the E.T.S. of Architecture of Seville and the Madrid firm Navarro Baldeweg Asociados with which it has developed projects and exhibitions in Spain, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
David Pérez Herranz
Architect by the Higher Technical School of Architecture of Seville and finalist in the Dragados P.F.C. Trained in real estate analysis and asset management, hotel establishments and tourist apartments, as well as in energy rehabilitation of residential buildings. Between Seville and Madrid, Antonio Cabrera Ponce de León and Paredes-Pino Arquitectos collaborated with important public and residential buildings, some of them widely published.
Laura Paños Díaz
Architect by the Higher Technical School of Architecture of Seville. Program "City, landscape and territory" for doctoral students of the Department of Urban Planning and Land Management of the University of Seville. She has been a collaborator in architectural studies linked to the University of Seville and the Polytechnic University of Madrid, developing projects of different scales, from urban spaces and public buildings to unique homes and retail. 1st phase, completed 2018. 2nd phase, in progress.- 11.2019
Rafael Pérez Morales
Architect and Technical Architect, graduated from the Higher Technical School of Architecture and the University School of Technical Architects of the University of Seville. Throughout his long professional career he has acquired a remarkable experience directing the execution of important projects, with a total of more than 1000 homes, public spaces, restoration and rehabilitation interventions on historical heritage, transport stations, sanitary, administrative buildings, teachers, etc.
Rafael Pérez Herranz
Architect by the Higher Technical School of Architecture of Seville. Advanced Studies Diploma in the E.T.S.A.M. of the Polytechnic University of Madrid within the doctoral program "Housing projects and institutional buildings". He has been a collaborator of the Department of Architectural Projects of the E.T.S. of Architecture of Seville and the Madrid firm Navarro Baldeweg Asociados with which it has developed projects and exhibitions in Spain, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
David Pérez Herranz
Architect by the Higher Technical School of Architecture of Seville and finalist in the Dragados P.F.C. Trained in real estate analysis and asset management, hotel establishments and tourist apartments, as well as in energy rehabilitation of residential buildings. Between Seville and Madrid, Antonio Cabrera Ponce de León and Paredes-Pino Arquitectos collaborated with important public and residential buildings, some of them widely published.
Laura Paños Díaz
Architect by the Higher Technical School of Architecture of Seville. Program "City, landscape and territory" for doctoral students of the Department of Urban Planning and Land Management of the University of Seville. She has been a collaborator in architectural studies linked to the University of Seville and the Polytechnic University of Madrid, developing projects of different scales, from urban spaces and public buildings to unique homes and retail. 1st phase, completed 2018. 2nd phase, in progress.- 11.2019
