pedro miguel santos proposes reinosa social and cultural center

pedro miguel santos proposes reinosa social and cultural center
all images courtesy of pedro miguel santos

subverting an ancient architectural concept, portuguese architect pedro miguel santos has proposed ‘inhabited walls’ for the reinosa social and cultural center in spain. the project references the medieval ages, where rooms were positioned inside walls and separated by large mineral masses for structural and defensive reasons. in the submission, the rooms are replaced by antechambers, which enable the flow through to independent workshop rooms from the exterior, without compromising functions in the rest of the building. the insertion of an elevated podium allows a second level of habitation and also offers a classical elevation from the outside. the middle layer actually hides a large rotunda within that opens to the sky from its interior and conceals all visual references to the surrounding city.

view from the adjacent public square

the rotunda works as an introspective space that is open to the sky above

multipurpose spaces have direct and diffuse light, with the ability to accommodate exhibitions and multiple activities

interior view of one of the rooms within the inhabited wall

site plan

plan

sections

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