Using one of the best known elements of this city, Talavera pottery, the architectural firm OOIIO has created a large mural in the dividing walls of the plaza that serves as a backdrop for this renovated urban space, opening it for residents through a series of simple interventions in the horizontal plan to improve the accessibility and to incorporate the needs demanded by neighbours.
Description of the project by OOIIO
The main intention of this urban intervention is to revitalize a degraded public space. We created a simple and open to all residents urban corner, destined to become a new landmark for the city, thanks to the contemporary and fresh use of the traditional and well-known Talavera´s pottery tiles. A symbolic material deeply rooted in local culture, important for its inhabitants.
This proposal stems from a rigorous analysis of public space needs in Talavera, from circulations studies, the sunlight, topography, existing applications … Before our intervention, the square was a residual urban space, not accessible for elderly or disabled people and used as informal parking.
With a few simple interventions we can turn this space into one of the most attractive squares in the city.
Let´s reactivate the public space!
Although the goal is to recycle the horizontal plane of the square, we prefer to concentrate the bulk of the intervention in the vertical plane, since we find there the presence of big grey dividing walls from tall buildings that give the back to the square, making people to understand that they are on a “back of house” urban plot, becoming psychologically this part of the city as a secondary zone.
We left the horizontal plane as accessible and comfortable possible for pedestrians reducing traffic to a defined track, protecting the main open space for pedestrians with concrete benches, specifically designed and located to contemplate the great wall of Talavera´s pottery that will completely change the look of the square forever, becoming one of the most revered places in the city.
This strong and visual intervention in the vertical plane will contribute to recover and enhance the medieval tower of the ancient wall, which now is lost in between buildings competing in height with it.
It will be now highlighted together with the ceramic mural, something special worthy to be seen for visitors and city inhabitants.
