Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Europa Nostra Awards 2019

15/06/2019. Winner of European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019 [Granada] Spain
metalocus, BLANCA VÁZQUEZ
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The winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019, Europe’s most prestigious honour in the field, funded by the Creative Europe programme, were announced on May 21 2019 by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, the leading European heritage network.

The 25 laureates from 16 countries have been recognised for their impressive accomplishments in conservation, research, dedicated service, and education, training and awareness-raising. Among the winners this year is the outstanding Restoration of the Oratorio del Partal in the Alhambra of Granada, directed by Federico Wulff Barreiro.
 
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
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The Partal Oratory is the 14th century palatine mosque of Nasrid Sultan Yusuf I (1333-1354), one of the two most important sultans of the Alhambra, promoter of the Courtyard and Tower of Comares and the Hall of Ambassadors. The previous restoration of the Oratory was carried out in 1930 by Leopoldo Torres Balbás, the architect considered to be the initiator in Spain of the restoration and modern intervention in the Heritage, Director of the Alhambra during the Second Spanish Republic.
 

Description of project by Patronato de la Alhambra

As part of its general programme of conservation of the entire group of monuments, the Council of the Alhambra and Generalife has performed various preliminary studies of this singular piece of architecture within the Alhambra, in which different pathologies affecting its general conservation were detected. It was therefore decided to embark on a three-pronged restoration project: 1) the restoration of the ceiling-frame and the ceiling of the entrance and corridor, 2) the repair of the roofs and 3) the restoration of the plasterwork and walls.

The Oratory of the Partal is a private palace chapel built in a similar period to the Captive’s Tower, during the reign of the Sultan Yusuf I (1333-1354), some time after the house of Astasio de Bracamonte and the Ladies’ Tower. Together with the Arabic houses of the Partal and the house of Astasio, they form a set of buildings that were linked with the day-to-day functioning of the Partal Palace.

The walls of the Oratory and the House of Astasio were built of brick, the exterior and interior decorations were made of plaster, the ornate lattice-work ceiling frame was made of wood as were the ceiling under the roof of the Oratory and the roof structures. Ceramic materials, glazed in some places, were used in the floor and roof tiles.

The restoration work centres mainly on the ceiling frame and the ceiling of the Oratory, which still contained numerous original features from the 14th century, as well as epigraphs and decorative plant motifs. These wooden structures have a number of problems relating to damp, structural deformations and loss of material.

The roofs of the Oratory and of the house of Astasio will be repaired in order to solve the warping and damp problems which have affected the ceiling frames and the plasterwork.

The building is rectangular in shape, measures 4.16m x 3m, and is covered by a four-sided roof. Access to the Oratory is via a staircase in the North East Wall. In the area adjacent to the entrance there is an initial, very narrow corridor covered by a ceiling made of pressed-brick beams which gives onto the main hall of the oratory through a semi-circular arch. At one end in its south-eastern wall, it has a small mihrab covered by a small muqarna vault. The interior walls are replete with plasterwork decoration. 

This space was restored in the 19th Century by Rafael Contreras and later in the 1930s by Leopoldo Torres Balbás.


The laureates will be celebrated at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony, co-hosted by European Commissioner Tibor Navracsics and Maestro Plácido Domingo, and organised under the high patronage of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, on the evening of 29 October in Paris.

Seven Grand Prix laureates (each of whom will receive €10,000) and the Public Choice Award winner, chosen from among this year’s winning projects, will be announced during the Ceremony.

Citizens from around Europe and the rest of the world can now vote online for the Public Choice Award and mobilise support for the winning achievement(s) from their own or another European country.

Europa Nostra Awards will also be given to two remarkable heritage achievements from European countries not taking part in the EU Creative Europe programme, namely Switzerland and Turkey.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
AfterRenovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
AfterRenovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Location. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Site Plan. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Topographic plan. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Roof plan. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Ground Floor and First Floor Plans. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Second Floor Plan. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
North Elevation. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
West Elevation. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
South Elevation. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Longitudinal Section towards North. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Roof Structure Sections. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Cross Section towards East. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
West and South Interior Elevations. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Entrance Arch Details. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Eaves and alfarje. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Alfarje access. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Roof frame. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Roof Structure Plan. Current state. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Constructive Detail. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Constructive Detail. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Constructive Detail. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Roof frame Pathologies. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Roof frame Intervention. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Polychromy. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Arrocabe Conservation State. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Arrocabe Interventions. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Conservation state and Intervetion in the Alfarje Access. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos.
Before the renovation, The Oratory of Partal, 1919. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Before the renovation, NE Facade view. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Before the renovation, Conservation state Timber Structure Exterior. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Before the renovation, State of Conservation of the roofs. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Before the renovation, Interior Timber Structure. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Before the renovation, Conservation state Horizontal Plan Timber Structure. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Before the renovation, Decoration Timber Structure. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
After the renovation, Recovered original decoration wooden planks. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
Before the renovation, Decoration Timber Structure. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
During the renovation, Timber Structure from the interior. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
During the renovation, Timber Structure Exterior. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
During the renovation, Stabilizing the structure. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
During the renovation, Works of the Timber Structure. Renovation of the Partal Oratory in the Alhambra of Granada by W+G Arquitectos. Photograph courtesy of La Alhambra y el Generalife, 2017.
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More information

Federico WULFF (W+G)

The practice W+G Architects was founded in 2007 by the Spanish Architects Federico Wulff and Melina Guirnaldos. The aim of W+G Architects is to develop both design and strategic projects in five timely analytical and design fields: 1. Post-crisis innovative reactivation strategies / 2. Contemporary approaches on heritage preservation and recycling / 3. Landscape recovery interventions in cooperation projects / 4. Interactive public space / 5. Domestic spaces and micro-architecture.

Dr. Federico Wulff Barreiro, a Spanish architect, is Founder and Director of the practice W+G Architects. He is Lecturer of Architecture and Urban Design as well as European Senior Research Fellow at the Welsh School of Architecture (WSA), Cardiff University.

He is currently EMUVE Unit Leader of WSA MArch2 (joint Unit with ETSAB Barcelona), Module Leader in the Master of Urban Design (MAUD), Senior Researcher and PI of the European Research Project EMUVE (Euro Mediterraean Urban Voids Ecology) which is funded by the European Commission.

He has awarded the Rome Prize in Architecture at the Royal Adademy os Spain in Rome. His interest in teaching Architecture and Urban Design at the European level led to him being guest Lecturer at the Architectural Association (AA) and the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL-London) in the UK, at l´Ecole Nationale Superieure d´Architecture of Marseille (ENSA-M) in France, at the Facolta d´Architettura of the Politecnico di Milano and at Roma Tre University in Italy, as well as the ETSAB in Barcelona, Spain.

Melina GUIRNALDOS (W+G)

The practice W+G Architects was founded in 2007 by the Spanish Architects Federico Wulff and Melina Guirnaldos. The aim of W+G Architects is to develop both design and strategic projects in five timely analytical and design fields: 1. Post-crisis innovative reactivation strategies / 2. Contemporary approaches on heritage preservation and recycling / 3. Landscape recovery interventions in cooperation projects / 4. Interactive public space / 5. Domestic spaces and micro-architecture.

Melina Guirnaldos, graduated from the School of Architecture of Granada (Spain). In 2008 she was awarded the Talentia Fellowship to purpose an MSc in Architectural Restoration and Urban Recovery at Roma Tre University (Italy), with Columbia University (USA) and Ecole Nationale Supérieure d´Architecture Paris-Belleville (France) as partner institutions. To complete her MSc, she collaborated in the restoration os the 3rd century Baths of Caracalla with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma. In her Italian professional period she also worked as a freelance Architect developing the design of 6 urban recovery master plans within the frame of the Participative Processes.programme coordinated by the Town Planning Department of the council of Rome.

She has lectured at and been a member of the juries of the Architectural Association, ETSAB, Cardiff University and University of Granada, among other institutions and has also lectured at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). In addition, she has worked as a contributor in architectural reviews, such as aU arcuitetura e urbanism in Brasil and ArteOficio in Chile, and as a coordinator of international workshops and seminars, such as the Italo-spanish Seminar on Contemporary Architecture intervention on Heritage held at the Alhambra Granada (Spain) in 2009.
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