Correction - 24th October

Project development:

• The platform is simplified by connecting it to the existing path, leaving the hill almost in the initial state. 
• The geometry of the building turns more ortogonal: the ensemble is formed by two connected prisms and another one situated in a lower height (archaeologists house).
• Following the idea of a closed workers pavilion and an opened visitors pavilion, the facade of the WP will be stone covered with many little openings to let the light come in.

Katowice Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library by HS99

UPDATE: 31st October Correction

Development of the idea

The main idea of the project is to make a VIEWPOINT of Medellín.

Photomontage of Saraiva Associates' Folgosa dock + City of Medellín

To achieve this aim, the strategy is to make a continuous platform that connects the archaeological work- shop, the restaurant, the existing ruins, the archaeologist's house and the buildings around: the 13th century churches and the roman theatre. Through this platform, it is possible to see not only the town but also the hill and its buildings.

This strategy also helps to save the uneven ground without making big alterations on it. For that matter, the platform includes a foundation of pilotis.

There is also an interest on separating both pavilions, even if they are together. The solution adopted consists in making a higher and more closed pavilion for archeologists and a lighter welcoming pavilion.

Schematic empacement: In order to make the project fit in the location, the geometry turns less ortogonal, following the levels of the ground.

View of the ensemble

Emplacement

Section of the ensemble

Schematic floor plan: the welcoming pavilion is an open space, meanwhile the archaeologist pavilion is more closed - the main illumination source is the big patio between both pavilions.

Welcoming Pavilion

Exit of the Welcoming Pavilion + Archaeologist Pavilion in the back

Inside of the Bar-Restaurant

Archaeologists working area and patio

Analysis of the plot

Medellín is a Spanish municipality belonging to the province of Badajoz, in Extremadura. It has Roman foundation, and despite the war and weather, it conserves an important architectural heritage, for example the medieval castle (upper side of the picture), the seventeenth-century bridge over the Guadiana river (on the right) and latest discovery ruins of the Roman Theatre (behind the mountain), kept in very good condition.

View of the surroundings of Medellín

Santiago Church, Castle of Medellín and the ruins located on the plot

The project consists in making a pavilion for visitors and a workshop for archaeologists. For that matter, the plot given is in the hill, near the castle, the theatre and two 13th century churches (Santiago and St. Martin). There are some ruins in the middle of the site and numerous paths along these buildings. One of the most important things that we have to take into account, besides the architectural heritage,  is the uneven ground and the vegetation, nowadays mostly olive-trees.

View of the site from below

View of the site from above

Schematic floor plan

This is the audiovisual work that we have made in relation to the place.
Authors: Ainara Rubio, Paula Sáiz, Iñigo Tudanca and Amaia Zabala.

These are some pictures taken in our trip to Medellín, showing not only the plot but also some materials used in the paths around and the existing vegetation.

Olive trees

Detail of the materials used in the current path

View of Medellín from the plot