Concrete Construction Manual_4-4.pdf

Example 13
Central university building, Girona, Spain Location plan
scale 1:1CXJO
1993
Main entrance 4 Information centre
Gateway 5 Inner courtyard
Architects: Office wing 6 Library wing
Josep Fuses, Joan Maria Viader, Girona
T
"Les Aligues" was built in the 16th century and,
in its heyday, was the most noteworthy public
building in the town. It served as a university
building into the 17th century and was later
used for various purposes until it was finally
vacated and left standing empty. Only the prin~
cipal facade overlooking the Plaza de San
OOmElneC and the facade facing the old church
still bore their original appearance when it was
decided to restore the ruin. The L-shaped lay•
out of the old building has been restored in
order to modate the university's most
important administrative functions. The chapel
now serves as an information centre for stu•
dents, while the inner courtyard to the south is
bounded by a new building housing further
university facilities. The inner courtyard linking
the different parts of plex has the char•
acter of a public square. The inclusion of a
number of concrete stairs illustrates the differ•
ent levels of the various buildings. The stairs
also enable various old walls and arches to be
preserved, but do force the new construction
to be separated from the main building.
The gable wall of the cube-like chapel was
demolished and replaced by a glass storey, to
admit daylight, and a concrete roof. The four
sides of the "as struck" finish concrete roof
curve inwards in order to direct light into the
interior. The interior of the old wing is designed
with consideration for the preserved elements.
The use of fair-face concrete plays a key part
in the clear separation between old and new.
Stainless steel, welded, polished and painted
metal plates and coloured inserts, attached
directly to the stone or embedded in the
rendering, have also been emplo