Contemporary conversions are sometimes difficult to accept, but the one we spotted on www.frameweb.com combines ancient and modern materials in a way that surprised us. Architect David Closes succeeded to accomplish a project that deserves our attention: an old church located in the small Catalan town of Santpedor was converted in an auditorium and a multifunctional cultural facility. David Closes played with history, he didn’t want to delete it: “The project has maintained the dimensions of the church interior space and, also, the unusual entries of natural light produced by partial roof collapses. Rather than reconstructing the church, the intervention has just consolidated the old fabric distinguishing clearly the new elements executed from the original ones. The new programmatic volumes inserted (as vertical accesses or technical equipment) have been located partially outside of the church with the aim of preserving the inner space unity of the nave.”
The renovation carried out allows to read historical wounds. The Sant Francesc convent, located in the small Catalan town of Santpedor, was built in the early 18th century by Franciscan priests.
Parts from the old church
The new stairs and ramps provide a circular route across the building with amazing views.
The intervention lets you read the ancient values. The new structure seems attached to the old building, but it respects its form and materials.
The church received a new function: auditorium and cultural center. It is now reintegrated in the social life of the city.
The historical texture combined with the contemporary intrusion. The project of conversion was very challenging for the architect.
Interesting ramps and diverse views
Multiple lamps hanging from the ceiling. The old columns remained untouched during the process of conversion.
In the future, a historical archive will be installed on the upper floors of the south side of the church.