Next Project
SOM Foundation UK Award

Cultural Perforation of Madrid, Disruption of the Defined

Part 1 Project 2014
Kent Gin
University of East London London | UK
What will museums be like in the future? As more and more public space is privatized, the project proposes the museum as a place that is accessible and civically responsible. By finding new ways in which the museum can thrive, using challenges as opportunities to test new business and engagement models, the project discovers new forms of engagement both architecturally and programmatically. It creates a more sustainable model where live and work co-exists alongside the museum activities.

The project is set within the existing building of the Palace of Conde Duque, one of the largest buildings in Madrid, which from the 17th century until the beginning of the 20th century a Royal Guards Corps barracks. It was only in 1983 that the Conde Duque was reborn as the cultural center it is today. It remains as one of the most important buildings of Madrid and is working hard to retain a presence in the city’s cultural scene. However the intimidating former military facilities have failed to create a vibrant cultural community and re-organisation of the centre is long overdue.

Following conversations with Pablo Berastegui, the Cultural Director of the Centre I developed a design and program strategy that would invigorate the site and allow it to realise its full potential. The proposal consists of a mixed use live and work community named La Villa Del Conde Duque. The introduction of live and work spaces allows young creatives in the Universidad district to coexist in the social cultural centre. Becoming a hub for the thriving arts, cultural and entertainments scene, creating affordable homes and job opportunities for locals in an area where unemployment is at its highest ever.

Led by climatic conditions traditional domestic spaces in Spain have used light screens alongside the fenestrations of the building to provide shade and privacy. Researching existing residential projects from three different Spanish architects; Ricardo Bofill, Rafael Moneo and Jose Antonio Coderch provided key design criteria in developing the residential units. The project reinterprets their designs and modifies them through implementation of concrete light screens, creating semi-private outdoor working spaces for the residents.

Kent Gin

Tutor(s)


2014
• Page Hits: 26594         • Entry Date: 02 October 2014         • Last Update: 03 December 2014