The Catalan architect David Closes is the man behind the spectacular renovation of Sant Francesc 950 m2 convent, which was built between 1721 – 1729 and is situated in the town of Santpedor, Spain. With respect to the historic legacy of the building, the community chose to restore the space, instead of demolishing it; a project which lasted for 7 years.
A very interesting architectural approach was chosen, by leaving the rough and damaged façade of the church intact, while using modern interventions and materials. The ruins of the convent were remodeled with glass, concrete and steel from walls to ramps and staircases, whereas the liturgical spaces, the structurally sound arches, and other salvageable features were also left untouched. The main feature uplifting the design is the contrast created between the ultra-modern exterior stairway and the existing historical stone structure. New lighting was also installed in order to illuminate the space and reveal the beauty of both the old and the new construction.
Closes, without losing sight of architectural unity, managed to reinvent this religious space and create a contemporary, eye catching cultural building that evokes all senses and invites visitors to explore the magic of religion lying behind these rough walls.
