A NEW TOWER AT AÍNSA CASTLE

SECOND PRIZE. COMPETITION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CULTURAL CENTER WITHIN THE AÍNSA CASTLE GROUNDS.

COMPLETING THE WALLED ENCLOSURE BY BUILDING THE MISSING TOWER THAT EXISTED. AN INTERVENTION IN THE HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF HUESCA.

A person in a wheelchair and a man standing on a stone walkway next to a large wooden structure, with a desert landscape and mountains in the background.

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PROJECT DATA
PROGRAM: PUBLIC FACILITY
INTERVENTION: COMPETITION
STATUS: SECOND PRIZE
YEAR: 2021
LOCATION: AINSA – SOBRARBE. HUESCA
AREA: 1.700 M²

CREDITS
ARCHITECTURE: BRENZO + LAURA SÁNCHEZ
CLIENT: AINSA SOBRARBE CITY HALL

Black and white photo of an ancient Roman aqueduct with multiple arches and a tower, surrounded by open grassy fields.
A simple line drawing of a cityscape with a tall rectangular building, a smaller building with a pointed roof, and an arched bridge in the background.

WE ARE LOCATED IN A UNIQUE MEDIEVAL SETTING, RICH IN HISTORY AND MEMORY. THE PROJECT RECOVERS THE LOST SILHOUETTE OF AÍNSA CASTLE THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TOWER THAT, BY MEANS OF CONTEMPORARY TECHNIQUES AND NOBLE MATERIALS, EVOKES THE ONE THAT ONCE COMPLETED THE FORTRESS.

AÍNSA, THE NERVE CENTER OF THE REGION AND IN CONTINUOUS GROWTH, REQUIRES VERSATILE SPACES CAPABLE OF HOSTING CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS BUILDING MEETS THE REQUIRED PROGRAM WHILE BECOMING A MULTIFUNCTIONAL FACILITY THAT SERVES THE COMMUNITY.

A black and white map showing a town or city with streets, buildings, and waterways. The map features contour lines indicating elevation changes, with a large river running through the center.

THE INTERVENTION TRANSFORMS THE CURRENT ROUTE ALONG THE WALL - UNTIL NOW LINEAR AND LIMITED - INTO A CIRCULAR PROMENADE THAT CULMINATES IN AN ELEVATED PLAZA CONCEIVED AS AN OPEN LOOKOUT TOWARDS THE PYRENEES.

Two diagrams labeled 'Antes' and 'Después', showing a rectangular object with black corner blocks and shaded areas, illustrating changes in design or structure.
A person playing a grand piano on stage in a large, empty auditorium with rows of red seats and wooden ceiling with recessed lighting.

THE PROJECT IS RESPECTFULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE RUINS, CLOSING THE PERIMETER OF THE WALL. A LOW PLINTH CONNECTS WITH THE EXISTING WALKWAY AND CONCENTRATES THE MOST PUBLIC USES. ABOVE IT RISES THE TOWER, ELEGANTLY COMPLETING THE CASTLE’S PROFILE AND INVITING VISITORS TO DISCOVER ITS INTERIOR.

THE FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM IS ORGANIZED VERTICALLY: THE GROUND FLOOR HOUSES A LARGE DOUBLE-HEIGHT HALL, CONCEIVED AS A FOYER TO THE AUDITORIUM AND A FLEXIBLE SPACE FOR EXHIBITIONS OR LOCAL EVENTS. THE MAIN AUDITORIUM OCCUPIES LEVELS 0 AND 1, WITH CAPACITY FOR 250 PEOPLE ACROSS TWO TIERS AND MOVABLE SEATING THAT ALLOWS MULTIPLE CONFIGURATIONS.

Architectural blueprint of a building foundation with structural frameworks and support beams.
Five architectural floor plans of a building, each showing different levels and layouts.

LEVEL 2 OPENS ONTO THE RAMPART AND BECOMES A PANORAMIC VIEWPOINT - AN OUTDOOR AUDITORIUM AND GATHERING PLACE. ON LEVEL 3 ARE THE OFFICES, WITH THREE PRIVATE ROOMS AND AN OPEN WORKSPACE, WHILE LEVEL 4 CULMINATES IN A PRIVILEGED MEETING ROOM WITH LARGE WINDOWS FRAMING VIEWS OF THE PYRENEES.

A conference room with a long rectangular table surrounded by brown leather chairs, large windows with a mountain view.
Architectural architectural drawings of a multi-level building with a stone basis, a tower with glass windows, and an arched bridge or colonnade, set against a mountainous landscape.
Black and white photo of ancient stone aqueduct with multiple arches, ruins on the right, and open grassy area in the foreground.
Black and white photo of an ancient stone aqueduct with multiple arches, a small stone building, and a mountain range with cloudy sky in the background.
People exploring ancient ruins and modern architecture outdoors with mountains in the background
Living room with white bookshelf filled with books, a cream armchair, and a window with sheer curtains letting in natural light.
Interior space with white walls, red brick accents, a white door, a window, and a seating area with gray cushions.
Hallway leading to a room with window and curtains, with exposed ducts on the ceiling.

SELECTED WORK

A modern living room with wood flooring, beige walls, and natural light from windows with blinds. Decor includes large ceramic vases, a leather sofa, a coffee table, a white lamp, and books on a dark shelf.
Outside view of a glass storefront with an automatic window and a blue awning with the letters ME! on it. Inside, a bar or café with barstools and glassware is visible.