Architect: Rubens Cortés Cano
Collaborating architect: Raúl Melguizo.
Technical Architect: Enrique Molina Campos
Team: Álvaro Castellano, David Garzón, Francis Requena, Rafael Ruiz.
Contractor: Ayto. de Gualchos–Castell de Ferro
Estructure: Plastisur (Policarbonato)
Photography: Javier Callejas
Promoter: Ayto. de Gualchos–Castell de Ferro
The Interpretation Center in Gualchos – Castell de Ferro will be one of many centers of such type in the Granada province, but it will differ significantly from so many architectural and cultural expressions. Interpretation Centers serve as platforms that spread natural resources, culture and national heritage of the region. Nevertheless, every time people are less interested in such centers and find their contents monotonous.
Many town councils treat the “Interpretation Center” as an opportunity to take over certain patrimonial values. In opposition to this dynamics, we propose a platform of cooperation and diffusion based on new technologies and sustainable and efficient approach with possibility of economic returns thanks to its ties established with other town councils and companies of the region. The idea of the project is to transform the existing youth hostel taking into consideration its new usage applying new material – cellular translucent polycarbonate. Above the removable metal structure we place polycarbonate sheets that substitute traditional finishing works of mortar and painting with more flexible, recyclable and changeable materials. It represents new interior skin that takes the shape of the existing geometry and possesses excellent levels of light transmission, high resistance to external influence, high heat and sound insulation, and high resistance to ageing. The resulting space between the walls of the existing building and the new interior skin allows us install the necessary equipment and illuminate the space in a homogeneous way. We find this material to be perfect in order to reflect the reality of Costa Tropical, where polymers of greenhouses occupy the major part of the territory and constitute a very significant part of the heritage of this area.
