José María Sánchez García
This project reclaims and redefines the area surrounding the
Temple of Diana in Merida, which was the ancient forum, or centre,
of the Roman city. Working together with the team of
archaeologists a set of rules and guidelines for intervention were
defined, which helped develop syntax for the project capable of
absorbing the irregularities and modifications uncovered by the
archaeological excavations.
To restore the outline of the Roman space, a perimeter structure
was built along the edge of the site. This permits the recovery of
the open plaza that existed in the Roman era, while respecting the
archaeological elements that defined the ancient sacred space. The
design takes the form of an “L” that stitches together the limit
with the current city fabric and liberates a large area around the
temple. Therefore, more than a building, the project is a
structure that is capable of generating a new urban stratum,
filled with program. At the same time, the structure casts a long
shadow over the plaza.
Credits
Perimeter building surrounding the Temple of Diana
Location:
C/Romero Leal y C/ Santa Catalina. Mérida (España)
Architect:
José María Sánchez García
Team:
Enrique García-Margallo Solo de Zaldivar, Rafael Fernández
Caparros, Daniel González Guerrero,Maribel Torres Gómez, Laura
Rojo Valdivielso, Mariló Sánchez García, Marta Cabezón López,
Mafalda Ambrósio, Francisco Sánchez García, José García-Margallo,
Carmen Leticia Huerta, Julia Ternström; Technical architects:
Ángel García Blázquez, Fernando Benito Fernández Cabello;
Structural design: CDE ingenieros, GOGAITE; Mechanical
engineering: Aro consultores
Area:
2158,19 m2
Photography:
José Hevia
2005-2011