Rural Tourism House
Aldan-Cangas, Spain
Alfonso Penela Fernández

Respect for a site's history results in a timeless adaptive reuse

© Manuel González Vicente

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

At the end of the 19th century, a group of Catalan preserve-makers spread a network of small salted-fish factories all along the Galician coast. These buildings were situated on the rocks, near the sea, and were constructed around a courtyard protected by an outer stone wall. The architects found such a site in a state of total abandonment and the building to be renovated in ruins. The sea no longer reached the outer stone wall or the ramp that used to connect it with the rear entrance of the building.

Before beginning the construction work, the site underwent an archaeological survey. Upon seeing the skeleton of the site, a flexible plan was drawn up; the architects foresaw that the project’s definition would be determined as the construction progressed. The proposal intended to cross history and modernity, simplicity and austerity. The architects sought a final result where the ghosts of the building would reveal their presence and energy.

The result is a project that uses three timeless materials: stone, cedar wood and glass. The intervention was highly delicate and aimed to maintain the treads and wounds of the building, rather than add more elements.

Location:
Aldan-Cangas, Spain

Gross square footage:
13,745 sq. ft.

Total Construction Cost:
$1 million

Owner:
Minnesota Historical Society

Architect:
Alfonso Penela Fernández
Plaza de la Constitución nº 3 – 2º
36202 (Vigo) Pontevedra Spain
Tel : 986225371 Fax : 986222496
e-mail : a.penela@infonegocio.com