Espai Santa Eulàlia
Gironella 2018-2020
Adaptation of a former church as a centre for the performing arts. Built work
- Architect: Carles Enrich Studio
- Collaborators: BBG (structure), SJ12 enginyers (installations), Brufau Cusó (quality control)
- Client: Servei de Patrimoni Arquitectònic Local (Diputació de Barcelona), Gironella Town Council, Consell Comarcal del Berguedà
- Contractors: Vesta
- Surface area: 210,50 sqm
- Photographs: Adrià Goula
The former church of Santa Eulàlia in Gironella dates back to the mid-fourteenth century and throughout its six centuries of history it has undergone innumerable changes of use. In 1971, Gironella Council recovered the building in a precarious state of conservation when it was transferred from the previous owner who was unable to guarantee its maintenance. In 2016, due to the poor condition of the building and the lack of services and facilities, it was necessary to reformulate the space to carry out cultural activities related to the performing arts, especially dance, music and poetry. This intervention was part of a programme to recover existing buildings promoted by Gironella Council.
First, the space of the central aisle was recovered to extend the useful space available and the closed chapels are used for storage. Secondly, a service nucleus was inserted into one of the chapels to guarantee accessibility. Finally an intervention in the facade, reinforcing the metal structure and replacing the translucent facing by transparent glass that expands the field of vision, provides natural light all day, incorporates the street as a second façade and offers views of the church from the outside. The permeability of this facing highlights the public nature of Santa Eulàlia as an extension of the urban landscape.
