Nicolas Chonville & Grégoire Ledent

This project is part of a broader urban renewal initiative, aimed at revitalizing Pontevedra by integrating historical preservation with modern artistic creation. The historic ruins in the city center are repurposed as temporary exhibition spaces, serving as a bridge between the past and contemporary art. These ruins form an urban pathway dedicated to artistic production, with the intervention site at its heart. 

The primary goal is to connect the bustling Rùa Sarmiento square with a quieter area on the other side of the ruins. This connection is established through an adjacent ruin, which is incorporated into the design to create a seamless transition between the square and the interior of the site. To preserve the historical value of the ruins, the existing walls are largely left intact, freezing them in their current state as a testament to their history and evolution. 

A new structural framework is added to the original ruin, allowing for an extension while minimizing the load on the existing walls. This creates a hybrid structural system where the original load-bearing walls are reinforced by the new structure, giving the ruin a passive role. Vertical circulation is deliberately placed outside the ruins, animating the façade and offering multiple pathways through and around the site. 

The program includes placing clearly defined functions within the ruins, such as learning spaces, a cafeteria, and housing for artists. The more open and flexible functions are located in the upper levels, which host workshops, an auditorium, and multidisciplinary spaces. The extension follows a terraced design that adapts to the site’s topography, reducing its visual impact and creating varied, flexible spaces.