Museum of Pontevedra in the former Convent of Santa Clara
3058-NIE-ES-2023
Architect: Nieto Sobejano
Client: Unknown
Status: Competition (2023)
Clasification: 1 prize
Location: Pontevedra, Spain
Coordinates: 42.4319584, -8.6400655
Climate: Temperate, Oceanic / maritime
Materials: Concrete, Stone
Environment: Old town
Visualizer: Studio
Scale: 7.000 ㎡ Medium
Types: Cultural, Museum, Refurbishment

The convent of Santa Clara is the result of multiple transformations from the origins of its foundation in the thirteenth century, which over 750 years of history includes extensions built between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries. A large granite perimeter wall delimits the convent and its exterior spaces, isolating the historic precinct from its urban context. The winning proposal opens a new entrance in the south wall, connecting the new museum and its gardens with the city. Facing this opening, an access pavilion is formalized as a large baldachin located on the axis of the cloister, announcing to visitors the new public status of the complex. The former convent will be restored and rehabilitated respecting its original architecture, and the hitherto incomplete cloister will become the heart of the museum and the archaeological center to be built below ground. Nieto Sobejano’s project offers a large public space until now unknown to most of the inhabitants of Pontevedra. The landscaping proposal integrates the architectural traces that have survived to the present day into a garden for the enjoyment of all citizens. The new museum and archaeological center, with a total area of 7,000 m2, transforms the opacity of the old religious building into an open and contemporary space in dialogue with history.

Post date: 13/06/2023 | Views: 1.226