Tabacalera's Rehabilitation
The proposal for the refurbishment of the Tabacalera building in Madrid is based on a profound respect for the heritage, recognising the historical value and identity of the building. The intervention balances the preservation of its essence with the incorporation of new elements that provide flexibility, functionality and organisational clarity.
A clear rehabilitation strategy is proposed that distinguishes the new from the existing, establishing a dialogue between the past and the present. The intervention is planned in phases, guaranteeing continuity of use and allowing the progressive adaptation of the building to new needs. The spatial organisation is optimised through independent circulations and the segregation of uses, ensuring safety and operational efficiency.
The architecture maintains the industrial character of the building through robust, repetitive and prefabricated construction solutions, which rationalise the partitioning of spaces for studios and residences. Flexibility is key to the design, allowing the spaces to be adapted to different activities and users. The intervention is based on the reuse and maintenance of recently completed works, minimising the impact and optimising resources. It is also committed to the simplification of the facilities and their segregation according to the different uses, improving efficiency and long-term maintenance. The urban character of the building is enhanced by strategies that reinforce its visibility in the city. Small architectural gestures, such as strategic openings and light elements, enhance the relationship between the interior and the surroundings, generating a space that is accessible and open to the community.
In short, the proposal integrates heritage and contemporaneity through a clear, rational and sustainable intervention that revitalises Tabacalera as a dynamic, versatile space in dialogue with Madrid.
The distribution of the functional programme is organised by levels in such a way as to maintain the integrity of the building's load bearing wall structure and considering that the intervention on the heritage concludes the process of historical extensions to which it has been subjected throughout its history. In order to meet the needs of the project, 3 types of operations are carried out: new constructions, a refurbishment based on the insertion of pieces on a smaller scale than the previous ones, and the treatment of the exterior spaces.
