Article source: dosmasunoarquitectos

Memory

Occupying a historic building

We thought that the project for the new Central Library of Alcalá de Henares University should not be strictly limited to a refurbishment task, in which a new program and furniture are to supersede the original ones. It should be understood as an insertion into an existing party-wall, acquiring its shape, absorbing light and fresh air, and opening towards the sky as the only possible way out. This implies the creation of a new space within an existing heritage building which features its own identity, and which is as well respectfully introduced into a formerly built context. The development of spatial strategies to occupy a given volume, as well as the generation of an inner façade to link and accommodate the new uses into the already existent building, are some of the keys through which the project evolved. Besides, it was equally important to develop an independent and flexible constructive process, neutral and nuanced at the same time, which ensured the adaptation of the new program without constraining it physically.

Rendering

• Architect: dosmasunoarquitectos
• Name of Project: Central Library and Museum for the University of Alcalá de Henares
• Location: Alcala de Henares, Spain
• Client: Universidad de Alcalá de Henares
• Architects: Ignacio Borrego, Néstor Montenegro, Lina Toro
• Collaborators: Begoña de Abajo, Jean-Baptiste Barbet, Marius Ege, Sálvora Feliz, Marko Licen, Qianyi Lim, Paula Raimúndez, Carlos Ramos, Alberto Rey, Daniel Ruiz, Jerónimo van Schendel,
• Surveyors: Javier Mach, Javier González
• Structure: Arquing
• Services: Grupo JG
• Competition: First Prize. 2007

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