the architecture studio of héctor fernández elorza has unveiled its renovation of a 17th century abandoned chapel in spain. located in the municipality of jarandilla de la vera in cáceres, the revitalized structure is to be used as a community and cultural centre for the local population.

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
view of the village and chapel in its urban context
photos by montse zamorano 

 

 

originally constructed in the 17th as a small chapel attached to the town’s church, the building’s structure has changed over time. in the 19th century is was used as a small prison, and in the 20th century, a school. héctor fernández elorza was tasked with renovating the structure to fit a flexible program of activities, to serve the ever changing needs of the community.

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
the large stone arch forms a boundary between the former apse and nave space

 

 

with barely 100 m2 and only one access from the small square, the chapel is divided into two volumes which configure into a single unitary space. the first and largest volume — the nave — has an irregular four-sided plan and a gabled roof, with its ridge placed perpendicular to the facade. the second, taller volume is placed to the back of the previous one, and used to be the apse. its high ceiling is topped with a semicircular dome covered by a hipped roof, with a central lantern installed at its peak. the link between both volumes is solved by a five meters wide circular granite arch.

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
the texture of the concrete shell has been made using the remains of the shake roofing wood

 

 

the restoration aimed to support the shortcomings of the original structure in an approach as subtle and unobtrusive as possible. this was achieved by incorporating an interior ‘shell’ — floor, lateral walls and covering — made of armored concrete, 25 centimeters thick. this element unifies the main volume and ensures the reinforcement and stability of the original perimeter walls.

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
the apse lies at the back of the primary volume, and houses a lantern at its peak

 

 

the semi-circular dome’s lantern is modernised through the insertion of a stainless steel element that reflects the light into the interior of the second volume, the former apse. this element, plus the two lateral apse windows and the semicircular gap above the main entrance are the only ways to shine light into the chapel. the width of this arched main entrance enables a double door that allows a variable relationship between the exterior and the interior of the chapel along with variable illumination as well.

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
the entrance to the chapel is articulated through large granite walls

 

 

the interior of the façade walls are covered with solid beveled wooden pieces. placed in line with the concrete shell, they absorb and break secondary acoustic waves, dampening uncomfortable sound reverberations. the exterior presentation of the walls is cased in basic stonework and lime mortar plastering, with the granite floor finish of the chapel extending into the small square, inviting the outside in. the overall result is a cohesive blend of old and new that both looks to the future and longevity of the building while tipping its cap to the rich history of the chapel and its community. 

designboom-17th-century-spanish-chapel-01
the chapel in its urban context

designboom-17th-century-spanish-chapel-02
the stainless steel dome lantern directs light into the interior of the chapel

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
the structure was previously used as both a prison, and a school 

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
the two main volumes of the restored chapel

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
original state of the chapel

héctor fernández elorza transforms 17th century spanish chapel into local cultural centre
work in progress

 

 

project information:

architects: héctor fernández elorza, manuel fernández ramírez
collaborators: raúl garcía cuevas (quantity surveyor), isidro méndiz (land surveyor), violeta ordoñez (architect), javier estebala alández (architecture student), clara gonzález martín (architecture student), rubén mejías úbeda-portugués (architecture student), carlos moya rodríguez (architecture student), gonzalo rojas encinar (architecture student), miguel ruiz-rivas avendaño (architecture student)
site plaza: de la constitución s/n jarandilla de la vera, cáceres, spain
project: 2008
start of construction: may 2011
end of construction: september 2012
promoter: ministerio de la vivienda
constructor: burcio núñez sa
built surface: 145 m2 + plaza
budget: 157.918 euros
photos: montse zamorano 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: peter corboy | designboom

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