designboom · Creativity & design

Salagón Stone and Floating Timber Reshape Historic Rock-Cut Complex in La Rioja, Spain

A rehabilitation project in Albelda de Iregua, La Rioja, Spain, has updated the historic Peña de las Bodegas rock-cut complex, a site with a long history of varied uses.

The complex, carved into local salagón stone, has served as columbaria, livestock shelters, and monastic dwellings, linked to the Monastery of San Martín and locally known as the Scriptorium. Its architecture is defined by material removal, featuring an exterior access area and two interior levels connected by stairs, along with characteristic ventilation shafts.

Architect Sergio Rojo's intervention prioritizes preserving the existing rock-cut structure. New elements are minimal and reversible, utilizing dry construction systems without concrete or cement. The primary materials are the existing stone and timber, with cleaned stone surfaces enhancing legibility and a backlit timber floor guiding visitors. Openings in the rock face were redefined to improve natural light.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.