https://albabalmaseda.com Alba Balmaseda Architect Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:25:52 +0000 https://albabalmaseda.com en https://albabalmaseda.com/Contact Tue, 08 Sep 2020 10:48:12 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/Contact CONTACT ME! <img width="4032" height="1374" width_o="4032" height_o="1374" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8a765e1af0844d89066ee3e3f4bec9338c70c02acf14078d6f47ac55f0cebe3d/IMG_5582_cut.jpg" data-mid="82401725" border="0" data-scale="90" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8a765e1af0844d89066ee3e3f4bec9338c70c02acf14078d6f47ac55f0cebe3d/IMG_5582_cut.jpg" /> ︎alba.balmaseda@hotmail.com ︎ +34 605 998 184‬ ︎ Madrid-Stuttgart-Palermo https://albabalmaseda.com/EU-MIES-AWARD-22-NOMINEE Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:25:52 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/EU-MIES-AWARD-22-NOMINEE <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e7e2135aa8c4b3c4220b939f1f1ccb58f67bb35bf54667955539f32c4e1186d1/EU-MIES-AWARD-22_01.jpg" data-mid="118670125" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e7e2135aa8c4b3c4220b939f1f1ccb58f67bb35bf54667955539f32c4e1186d1/EU-MIES-AWARD-22_01.jpg" /> EU MIES AWARD 2022The project La Mejicana has been nominated to the EU Mies Award 2022.The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award is a continuous process focused on how architects are thinking and working in Europe today.The Prize objectives aim at promoting and understanding the significance of quality and reflecting the complexity of Architecture's own significance in terms of technological, constructional, social, economic, cultural and aesthetic achievements. The Prize has been a collective project from its inception. The organisational network has been growing with each successive edition and includes the collaboration of the institutions that form part of the Advisory Committee, the Architects' Council of Europe (ACE) member associations and other European architects' associations, who are partners in the organisation of the Prize. More information A project by Alba Balmaseda A project by Alba Balmaseda Team Alba BalmasedaArchitecture SPC S.LXiana Alonso Población Technical Architecture Energanova Facilities Euteca S.L. Structure Construcciones Anton S.L. Contractor Esaú Acosta Collaborator Images Ibai Rigby https://albabalmaseda.com/Ph-D Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:21:06 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/Ph-D <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5e7bd936f46e28accf51f761cfbf0ff15f3c1682f8c0d8dcaf8d8de0f2270c6c/Inhabiting-water_Expanded-Diagram.jpg" data-mid="155908932" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5e7bd936f46e28accf51f761cfbf0ff15f3c1682f8c0d8dcaf8d8de0f2270c6c/Inhabiting-water_Expanded-Diagram.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a42be3ee41a02bd4b1cf93574b61d0b464fc5d1f2278f7d1fdf375855a4b4981/Body-Water--Architecture_Expranded-Diagram.jpg" data-mid="155908933" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a42be3ee41a02bd4b1cf93574b61d0b464fc5d1f2278f7d1fdf375855a4b4981/Body-Water--Architecture_Expranded-Diagram.jpg" /> <img width="2421" height="1776" width_o="2421" height_o="1776" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2626149e4f2b1088fe8d4406d2cec33f5bb52549fe3e3d51fe3472ba90efd3ec/Venice_Expanded-Diagram.jpg" data-mid="155908929" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2626149e4f2b1088fe8d4406d2cec33f5bb52549fe3e3d51fe3472ba90efd3ec/Venice_Expanded-Diagram.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5e396779960d2dcc9e30dd931529b5ef22355b1062d7f1c7ad0f3c380962c15b/Contemporary-trends_Expanded-Diagram.jpg" data-mid="155908936" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5e396779960d2dcc9e30dd931529b5ef22355b1062d7f1c7ad0f3c380962c15b/Contemporary-trends_Expanded-Diagram.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6defc64899cb8502cb601460e0d0fe179dfe7d7a883c47180fa1f27660096be1/Waterspaces_Expanded-diagram.jpg" data-mid="155908940" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6defc64899cb8502cb601460e0d0fe179dfe7d7a883c47180fa1f27660096be1/Waterspaces_Expanded-diagram.jpg" /> (Diagrams by Alba Balmaseda, 2021) Ph.D.&nbsp;Cities, bodies, and water Urban Bathing as a Spatial Practice Urban bathing as a spatial practice is emerging to reclaim for public use Bathing Spaces, Natural Waterways, Canals, Public Fountains, and Absent Waters&nbsp;in Western cities deprived of public spaces for taking the waters. Many use architectural and urban design tools to give citizens access to water for bathing. In a context of global warming, de-corporealization and individualism, the thesis will study how these places can become climatic, healing and social shelters in the urban landscape, and open to all. Furthermore, this study explores how these spatial practices implement sustainable ways of understanding urban waters, even questioning and reinventing filtration systems, addressing the issue of water quantity and quality, considering coexistence with other living beings, and implementing tests in the design process for minimal intervention. Urban bathing in public space finally suggests a new relationship between the body and the city, transforming the character of water from a utilitarian infrastructure to a space for embodiment.&nbsp; All indicate the need for future detailed research to shape and understand the role of urban bathing in the contemporary, increasingly urbanized society. Author Alba Balmaseda SupervisorsProf. Michele BeccuProf. Giovanni LongobardiProf. Roger Connah Dottorato di Ricerca in Architettura: Innovazione e Patrimonio (Dipartimento di Architettura) Università degli Studi Roma Tre https://albabalmaseda.com/SuE Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:20:02 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/SuE <img width="3533" height="2493" width_o="3533" height_o="2493" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/532ebd70300aef1e0d7d8cb165748457a0e39c685fb2cd8468dd4e0b9fcbdd83/SuE-HOME.jpg" data-mid="127681193" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/532ebd70300aef1e0d7d8cb165748457a0e39c685fb2cd8468dd4e0b9fcbdd83/SuE-HOME.jpg" /> (Photo: Frank Dölling) SuE "Städte sind räumliche und bauliche Manifestationen gesellschaftlicher Prozesse, die stetem Wandel und fortlaufender Entwicklung unterliegen. Die räumlichen Disziplinen ermöglichen uns, den Dialog zwischen Raum und Nutzer zu gestalten. Wir entwerfen Räume mit Qualitäten, die Nährboden für Aneignung und Interaktion sind. Der Lehrstuhl Stadtplanung und Entwerfen ist die Plattform auf der Städtebau, Architektur und Landschaftsarchitektur integral zusammenwirken.” The focus of the SuE chair is on the European city and its history, identity and design, on its living and working environments, the changes and its future challenges: How can a city offer quality of life and be home? Which of the existing concepts will be preserved and which will be developed further? To answer these questions, the constructed environment and the urban society are the focus of the analysis, the reflection and the development in teaching and research. The professorship assumes two positions concerning this: understanding and designing. Understanding means to read the European city, to retrace its development lines and thus to research the feeding ground of future developments. This understanding provides the basis for actively shaping and further developing. The most important tool for this is designing. The design of a city requires an integrated attitude and a broad perspective, which incorporates the special, functional and creative aspects as well as the sociological, economic and ecologic aspects. Research and development of the chair is concerned with the future tasks of urbanized spaces in the context of the European city in the regional, national and international context. The areas investigated range from urban planning scale to observations concerning the holistic structure of cities and on to regional topics. More information WINTER SEMESTER 2022-2023 Unplanning the Planned. Madrid (Desing Studio) CHOZO, Humans and Nature in Harmony (Seminar) SUMMER SEMESTER 2022 Habitando Cosechas. Temporäre Humansiedlungen in Huelva, Spanien. (Desing Studio) Stadt-Körper-Wasser (Seminar) WINTER SEMESTER 2021-2022 Robust. Lebensräume weiterdenken. (Desing Studio) Probebühne (Seminar) SUMMER SEMESTER 2021Porosität - Betrachtungen der performativen Stadt am Beispiel Stuttgart(Design Studio) SuE going public(Seminar) WINTER SEMESTER 2020-2021 Reparare (Desing Studio) SUMMER SEMESTER 2020 Meine Stadt, Mein Zuhause - Grenzen, Schwellen, Übergänge (Desing Studio) Wohnen und Stadt - Die städtebauliche Dimension des Wohnens (Seminar) Chair Professor Dr. Martina Baum Studio Urbane Strategien Assistant Professors Alba Balmaseda Sascha Bauer Lorenz Brugger Harry Leuter Jonas Malzahn Alexander Richert Ksenija Zujeva Lehrstuhl für Stadtplanung und Entwerfen (SuE) Städtebau-Institut (SI) University of Stuttgart https://albabalmaseda.com/LA-MEJICANA Mon, 07 Sep 2020 20:46:08 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/LA-MEJICANA <img width="2835" height="2079" width_o="2835" height_o="2079" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f8530570fe6a47f57d465343e6ad0f3a55bd55eb8853b74739c47ca6c3c5b55d/LA-MEJICANA_01.jpg" data-mid="159928213" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f8530570fe6a47f57d465343e6ad0f3a55bd55eb8853b74739c47ca6c3c5b55d/LA-MEJICANA_01.jpg" /> LA MEJICANALa Mejicana looks for the opportunities in the limitations. A project that consciously respects the existing and attempts to reduce interventions to a minimum. A special focus on reviving disregarded elements reinventing interior and exterior spaces. This project is a renovation of an existing building. It would be impossible to build a new house in that proximity to the seafront, given the strict regulations in Spain for coast protection. The only allowed interventions for this existing building were repair, upgrade, structural consolidation, and energy improvement. Being expressly forbidden to increase the built volume.These restrictions have both strongly conditioned the development of the project and at the same time opened up unexpected possibilities. The transformation of the existing space is designed from a deep understanding of what is inherited from the original structure and its inhabitants, the conditioning factors of a strict regulation, the needs from the new residents and what the place gives. The house is in a plot near the Aldán estuary. In between the house and the water, there is a lush garden with beautiful trees. This small paradise is the legacy left behind by a Galician and German couple emigrated to Mexico in the moment the house was built.However, the volume of the house presented a rigid structure and limits. There were few opportunities to enable porosity and exchange between inside and outside spaces. It was necessary to perforate, break, interchange, inspire and expire.The strategy was to study the critical points of the existing building and intervene while respecting the original prerequisites. The points that required a bigger spatial transformation were the access to the house, the deteriorated state of the roof, the reorganization of the interior program and the need for a new staircase.This way, what was originally the back façade of the house, becomes a regenerative element of the program, capable to intertwine the different transformations. This forgotten element stops being perceived as a flat surface but as a dynamic in-between. The new threshold impulses a completely different habitation of the house and builds unforeseen mediations. The existing structure required intense consolidation. There were ceded foundations, detached pillars, corrosion in metal structures and an asbestos cracked roof. The consolidation has been implemented using metal elements because it allowed us to easily adapt to the program needs and the different structural systems of the house: concrete, brick, wood and metal.The energy improvement is an important focus in this project. We have added insulation in the exterior of the thermal enclosure, implemented floor heating and replaced all the existing windows by more efficient new ones. Finally, we have systemized the existing wells to utilize the rainwater for the maintenance of the garden.We have chosen special materials for the interventions that have required a major transformation, maintaining the rest as similar as possible to its original version. There are natural traditional materials like the local stone or the oak wood, combined with more contemporary popular trends such as the wavy metal plate and the epoxy resins. A project by Alba Balmaseda Team Alba BalmasedaArchitecture &nbsp;SPC S.L Xiana Alonso Población Technical Architecture Energanova Facilities Euteca S.L. Structure Construcciones Anton S.L. Contractor Esaú Acosta Collaborator Images Ibai Rigby &nbsp; https://albabalmaseda.com/MADRE-TIERRA Mon, 07 Sep 2020 20:46:08 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/MADRE-TIERRA <img width="1536" height="1920" width_o="1536" height_o="1920" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b1031f6120e911658573a4b6efd659234d8bc33d0fc85e7b046ed1627ba63325/2231-0503.jpg" data-mid="177283052" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b1031f6120e911658573a4b6efd659234d8bc33d0fc85e7b046ed1627ba63325/2231-0503.jpg" /> MADRE TIERRA This is a small summer house for an extended family that reunited in their holidays. The principal concept of the house is to create a minimum house with maximum interaction between inside-outside sticking to a very tight budget and wide reuse. Two sisters, their mother and their kids will use and share this home. The ground floor is completely accessible, and the bathroom is adapted for all users. The construction system mixes traditional construction with low-cost materials. Stone, recycled tiles and bricks co-live with industrial metal structures and OSB panels. All the material that was in the plot has been placed and utilize in the project. The spaces with flexible usage, the harnessing of the plot and the utilization of the attic in case of improvised guests make this house a home ready to be adapted and open to the necessities of every moment. A project by BarrioBalmaseda Team Alba Balmaseda Ariadna Barrio Architecture José Olmos Rico Technical Architecture Euteca S.L. Structure Antonio Muñoz Herrero Contractor &nbsp; Images Javier Callejas https://albabalmaseda.com/HAECCEITIC-TYPES Mon, 07 Sep 2020 20:46:08 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/HAECCEITIC-TYPES <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a6226a7bbcef63e6e5a01e934364c0ee4fcfe5ba6f15d06d5687012a2ef67384/HAECCEITIC-TYPES_1.jpg" data-mid="83765677" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a6226a7bbcef63e6e5a01e934364c0ee4fcfe5ba6f15d06d5687012a2ef67384/HAECCEITIC-TYPES_1.jpg" /> (Photo: Jean Nicolas Louis Durand. Porches, 1802) HAECCEITIC TYPES HAECCEITY was first coined by followers of Duns Scotus to describe the discrete qualities, properties or characteristics of a thing that make it a particular thing. Haecceity is a person’s or object’s thisness, the individualizing difference between the concept ‘a man’ and the concept ‘Socrates’. TYPE comes from the Greek word typos which means ‘model, matrix, impression, mould, mark, figure in relief, original form’ and from the Latin word typus which means ‘figure, image, form, kind’. In this design studio we worked on a holiday house in Mallorca. We focused on the concept of TYPE trying to deal with the idea of tradition. Not contemplating the existing as an embalmed figure. But introducing our practice as part of the tradition itself. We worked in continuity with tradition, from the comprehension of the context. Not starting from scratch, no one begins from zero. But working by manipulating, transforming and perfecting the common tradition and own memory. &nbsp;Guest Professor Dr. Jaume Mayol Ted’A Arquitectes Guest Assistant Professor Alba Balmaseda Chair Professor Markus Allmannallmann sattler wappner Institut für Raumkonzeptionen und Grundlagen des Entwerfen (IRGE) University of Stuttgart https://albabalmaseda.com/WHY-NOT Tue, 08 Sep 2020 09:24:34 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/WHY-NOT <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/16319a2e4e79edbdd75176daebaaaf9532892a04b576b1e4efe55c339060d007/WHY-NOT_01.jpg" data-mid="159848219" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/16319a2e4e79edbdd75176daebaaaf9532892a04b576b1e4efe55c339060d007/WHY-NOT_01.jpg" /> WHY NOT?She from the UK, Japanese descent, he from Spain. Why not? is the name of the bar where they saw each other for the first time. This project is a 60 square metre house renovation for a young cuople and their dog in the lively neighbourhood of Chueca in Madrid. Structural interventions were minimal, preserving the existing 1900 original construction. The main challenge of the renewal was to transform the pre-existing fixed and closed rooms into a flexible and fluid space&nbsp;using as few operations as possible. &nbsp; The core of the house in wood is inspired in the oriental culture whereas the other rooms look purposely simpler in order to highlight the Madrilenian outdoor surroundings. A big living room with two balconies is the most frequented and alive room during the day. A small bedroom near the inner courtyard of the building provides the intimacy and the silence required to sleep in the night. Materials are selected in order to create diverse and rich ambients into this small world. Crossed views are guaranteed in all the spaces giving a big sense of amplitude.&nbsp;Mirrors are part of the design, reflecting light and bringing infinite horizons to the rooms. A project by Alba Balmaseda Team Alba Balmaseda Architecture Yaneck Contractor Very Wood IdeasMarcos Magnasco Carpentry Images Montse Zamorano https://albabalmaseda.com/URBAN-ECO-COMMUNITIES Mon, 07 Sep 2020 21:13:17 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/URBAN-ECO-COMMUNITIES <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/55f5f700d2cf78914794e45403cab4320311bf037ce5ad1fbb9dd209103eaa9c/URBAN-ECO-COMMUNITIES_1.jpg" data-mid="82587286" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/55f5f700d2cf78914794e45403cab4320311bf037ce5ad1fbb9dd209103eaa9c/URBAN-ECO-COMMUNITIES_1.jpg" /> BUILDING URBAN ECO-COMMUNITIES In the current context of rapid urbanization affordability of housing, not only in money terms, but also in terms of the environmental impact, is a growing concern. There is a tug of war between the environment and de­velopment, with spatial exclusion and social segrega­tion emerging as universal phenomena, affecting even developed countries. Design helps to achieve more with significantly less: better use of ‘human’ resources (intelligence, knowledge, time) can prevent depletion and deterioration of other natural resources. The key to building an affordable future is surely education; and not only increasing access to formal education, but prioritizing lifestyle issues and consumption pat­terns. We have to learn to discriminate between the necessary and the superfluous, so that cities not only survive, but thrive. This course was an opportunity to envision ‘Urban Eco-Communities’ trough integral rethinking of Architecture and Urban Design in the context of Auroville (India), both from a theoretical and practical approach, addres­sing environmental, social and economic sustainability holistically. The course was organized around a series of lectures by visiting experts on new urban visions for diverse related topics and a visit to the site. &nbsp;Guest Professor Dr. Anupama Kundoo anupama kundoo architects Guest Assistant Professor Alba Balmaseda Chair Professor Markus Allmannallmann sattler wappner Institut für Raumkonzeptionen und Grundlagen des Entwerfen (IRGE) University of Stuttgart https://albabalmaseda.com/LOGGIA Thu, 10 Sep 2020 16:10:18 +0000 Alba Balmaseda Architect https://albabalmaseda.com/LOGGIA <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/85e72534e47e6b6782e7cde4da9f90c9aa6baa1f9dd02df83fe68dbf7ca7c608/11.jpg" data-mid="83776562" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/85e72534e47e6b6782e7cde4da9f90c9aa6baa1f9dd02df83fe68dbf7ca7c608/11.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4c9fc1b285c7d299a75c91be4dc8d08d0135eae190329cd6ac9590d0ed86250c/P12.jpg" data-mid="83776563" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4c9fc1b285c7d299a75c91be4dc8d08d0135eae190329cd6ac9590d0ed86250c/P12.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3148e90f32d94d80903847e2272fdfc6461e5ea84c9885d682e109fad43c101b/P13.jpg" data-mid="83776564" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3148e90f32d94d80903847e2272fdfc6461e5ea84c9885d682e109fad43c101b/P13.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ce546462f69c408d6783ed3297472742d74c7a6e0e2823b5d90bf61865bb4bf8/P14.jpg" data-mid="83776565" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ce546462f69c408d6783ed3297472742d74c7a6e0e2823b5d90bf61865bb4bf8/P14.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d5ef33afd4e393ac9ad948141163fcfe895201cd2ed01831f754f8bb2947bc92/P15.jpg" data-mid="83776566" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d5ef33afd4e393ac9ad948141163fcfe895201cd2ed01831f754f8bb2947bc92/P15.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9d1f8c8d6252f7c94a7a3481730149ab6f6afba18e97377ec660986d09637061/PB1.jpg" data-mid="83776567" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9d1f8c8d6252f7c94a7a3481730149ab6f6afba18e97377ec660986d09637061/PB1.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c2f12bd2f91537afda195f4e6e967bd0e252ed8d115dd5136e9bfbcb1cef02a8/PB2-copia.jpg" data-mid="83776568" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c2f12bd2f91537afda195f4e6e967bd0e252ed8d115dd5136e9bfbcb1cef02a8/PB2-copia.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/68297069f587fd02d89bb3c5204df3fb2259d3dd870d8d2e65ff1d0d72c0a344/PB3.jpg" data-mid="83776569" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/68297069f587fd02d89bb3c5204df3fb2259d3dd870d8d2e65ff1d0d72c0a344/PB3.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2a409166c66875adbbfb94e0c5ecbd9e6fd9f5a244665a0a9b7f47d625e5d6de/PB4.jpg" data-mid="83776570" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2a409166c66875adbbfb94e0c5ecbd9e6fd9f5a244665a0a9b7f47d625e5d6de/PB4.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/50a9b7a4fbe847400925042b03f362cfd4f45fde68c75eb7e133f33a1f65d19e/PB5.jpg" data-mid="83776571" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/50a9b7a4fbe847400925042b03f362cfd4f45fde68c75eb7e133f33a1f65d19e/PB5.jpg" /> <img width="2362" height="1732" width_o="2362" height_o="1732" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/546bc07bb2506f9e7905da5cbb9746f1e1634c2eaba3e93bef58cb04260a848d/PB6.jpg" data-mid="83776572" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/546bc07bb2506f9e7905da5cbb9746f1e1634c2eaba3e93bef58cb04260a848d/PB6.jpg" /> MARKET HALL ´[lòg-gia] s.f.&nbsp;(pl.&nbsp;-ge) 1 arch.&nbsp;Edificio con uno o più lati aperti in arcate, destinato in origine ad accogliere il mercato o le riunioni delle diverse corporazioni;&nbsp;estens.&nbsp;galleria dei piani superiori, con colonnati o arcate, che si affaccia su un cortile.´ Avila is a small town near Madrid included in the list of World Heritage Sites. It is well-known because of its walls and Romanesque churches. In the centre of the oldtown, inside the walls and near the Main Square, a Market Hall by the architect José María Repullés was built in 1893. The original project was an elegant light and permeable structure in iron, brick and glass. As the Market had a huge success the project was adapted in different occasions becoming more and more heavy and close concrete structure disjointed from the public space. The objective of this renovation is to give back to Ávila and its citizens a ‘Plaza de Abastos’. This means to transform the actual structure into an open big market hall, which as a ‘Plaza’, works as a gathering and welcoming space. The principal strategy is to preserve the typological characteristic objects and recuperate as much as possible the original idea of the project guarantying the current requirements of habitability, functionality and accessibility. The ground and first floor condensed the program in particular areas liberating the perimetral and central space. There are three sets of stairs that allow the use of the building at different frames of time and four patios that vertically connect the two floors. On the roof, three skylights are opened in connection with the patios to illuminate the central body. The basement is completely reorganised to respond to the current demands of the market hall services and facilities. The image of the new Market Hall highlights the granite base, which is the only vestige from the original 1893’s project. The existing superior structure is alleviated by eliminating the upper gallery and increasing the dimensions of the existing windows. In this way the intervention brings back the original idea of an in-between realm, a permeable ‘loggia’, towards the urban space A project by BarrioBalmasedaPromoter Municipality of Ávila Team Alba Balmaseda Ariadna Barrio Architecture Ramón López Farinós Technical Architecture ACIX Facilities Euteca S.L. Structure Images BarrioBalmaseda