Proyectos de Rehabilitación. Arquitectura Alicante. Proyectos de Arquitectura. Arquitectos Alicante. Servicios de Arquitectura Técnica

The actions demanded by the contest rules are three: The creation of a new bell tower, restoration of the facades of the church-fortress of Murla and finally, the arrangement of the urban space existing between the two milestones.

The bell tower is dealt with by a “talking wall” of reinforced concrete that folds on itself. A “flat container” that hosts the program requested for that item, a small store, a toilet on the ground floor, and the body of bells at its coronation. The proposal attempts through the used geometry to evoke a sort of animated element to enhance its visual landmark character, while returning  the bell tower its logical role in the civil life of the city.  A mosaic of large openings flared in the facade pursuing the dual mission of giving an “animated” presence to the tower, and at the same time establishing a certain relation to the opening type belonging to the military architecture of the church.

Regarding the bells, they are arranged in a canonical form, ie, in a polygonal room covered by an acoustic vault, where the “great one” is available facing the “Mitjana” and toward the front of the church; and the small ones, according to the canons, at a higher altitude with respect to the majors.

Proyectos de Rehabilitación. Arquitectura Alicante. Proyectos de Arquitectura.
Proyectos de Rehabilitación. Arquitectura Alicante. Proyectos de Arquitectura. Arquitectos Alicante. Proyectos Técnicos.

With regard to the restoration of the church’s facades, the action proposes the elimination of all improper elements (covering up openings, added, ornaments, etc.) in order to value the original wall elements. In this line, and as a result of the planned demolition of the chapel of the communion currently attached to the church, the opening of a flared hollow flared is proposed,executed with the same logic as with a bell tower. An opening that pierces the thick walls of the church, expressively looking for the eastern light in order to illuminate the altar of the church.

Finally, the arrangement of the public space is specified in a floor plan designed with the same logic as the bell tower, a lively element that channels and emphasizes the pedestrian flow, while it merges with the vertical walls that represent the parapet to Calle San José,to  narrow into an area with a staying character between the two buildings.

Proyectos de Rehabilitación. Arquitectura Alicante. Proyectos de Arquitectura. Arquitectos Alicante.

Department: Architectural Services

Title: Bell tower for the Church of Murla

Location: Murla, Alicante

Year: 2005

Area: 790 m2

Budget: 685.000 euros

Client: Government of Valencia Community

Type: Competition

Status: Design

 

Project Architect: José Antonio Cantó Hidalgo

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