Alberto Campo Baeza and his team from the Madrid based architectural studio Campo Baeza are the authors of this project; a light and open white pavilion of subtle intervention, above an archaeological excavation site, alongside an ancient cathedral in Cádiz, a little town in Andalusia, one of the oldest populated places in Southwestern Europe.
While creating this new public area, which expands towards the sea with fantastic vistas nearing the south, and is situated between two cathedrals, the architects were well aware of the fact that they were building on what is indisputably the most important such location in this historically wealthy town. By roofing the archaeological excavations with a spacious covered platform on the area above the archaeological excavation site, an exceptionally potent public place is created, which provides, amidst raising the plateau several metres above the ground level of the busy street, a sweeping skyline with a magnificent outstretched view of the ocean. The light structure of the newly built pavilion is perched over the site, as if on tiptoes above the historical excavations, and is connected to the street terrain by a side ramp at the base. The elevated plateau is paved with marble elements, while the entire structure of the plateau, the side ramp and the awning, which serves as protection from wind and rain, is painted white, so as to further accenuate the cleanliness, lightness and transparency of the newly built creation. The aforementioned features and unpretentious subtle relationship in the construction process between the historically and culturally significant buildings, bear witness to the author’s absolute respect for the buildings as well as the exceptionally meaningful locations.
Photography: Javier Callejas
For more information and details about this project, along with the renowned Spanish architect’s comment on the project, please check this website
