BARE WALLS

ART UNIVERSITY + BANK OF TIME

La Tabacalera is one of the best examples of industrial architecture of the XVIII century. This compact but massive building structure made of brick with 3 patios has been modified to new usage and conditions from the very beginning. Nowadays La Tabacalera is a symbol of international community situated in Lavapies district, where different peoples from several countries created amalgam of cultures and exchanges in the late 90s.   In the last years the ruins of Tabacalera have been occupied by plenty of street artist movements who organized events according to the idea of BANK TIME. Under this concept they understand service exchange instead of charging money. In 2009 the government announced a contest, later won by Nieto y Sobejano architect whose aim was to transformate  Tabacalera into CNAV, National center of arts.

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The building was splited into 3 parts : Museum, University and dormitory and workshops. This project is focused on the third part following the concept of Bank Time. How can we materialize the idea of visual arts? … fluid spaces maybe… but how to accomplish it in an old close and massive building. First let’s bare the structure to display the two centuries old texture of enormous brick structure. Second, we remove transversal walls and floor to use this empty space for a new landscape inside. 3 passages 120 m and 20m high, now we are free to practice fluid space. The proposal provides with different open platforms, which are on the first floor. The floor is not continuous so the natural light is going through the galleries and the ground floor with sequences of lights and shadows. In the upper floor we place individual separated studios creating an atmosphere of scattering light in the down floor . The passage in the middle operates as an interior street with bridges and forest inside- the place for walking and observing  people’s works.