This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/01/matrera-castle-restoration-spain-shortlisted-architecture-prize
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Spanish castle under siege after restoration shortlisted for award Spanish castle under siege after restoration shortlisted for award | |
| (3 months later) | |
| The controversial restoration of an ancient Spanish castle, which was viewed as a monumental “cock-up” by some and hailed by others as a stunning and sympathetic labour of conservation, has been shortlisted for a global architecture prize. | The controversial restoration of an ancient Spanish castle, which was viewed as a monumental “cock-up” by some and hailed by others as a stunning and sympathetic labour of conservation, has been shortlisted for a global architecture prize. |
| Matrera castle, a 1,000-year-old hilltop fortress in the Cádiz province of southern Spain, has found itself at the centre of bitter clash between traditionalists and modernists following a painstaking “consolidation and restoration” project that saw its dilapidated structure shored up and returned to the original dimensions that time, battles and rain had eroded. | Matrera castle, a 1,000-year-old hilltop fortress in the Cádiz province of southern Spain, has found itself at the centre of bitter clash between traditionalists and modernists following a painstaking “consolidation and restoration” project that saw its dilapidated structure shored up and returned to the original dimensions that time, battles and rain had eroded. |
| Some residents of the nearby town of Villamartín have been bitterly critical of the restoration, as has a Spanish heritage and conservation group. Hispania Nostra called the restoration “truly lamentable” and said it had shocked Spaniards and foreigners alike. | Some residents of the nearby town of Villamartín have been bitterly critical of the restoration, as has a Spanish heritage and conservation group. Hispania Nostra called the restoration “truly lamentable” and said it had shocked Spaniards and foreigners alike. |
| Others have compared it to the doomed and now-notorious attempt by a devout woman to restore Elías García Martínez’s 19th-century fresco of Christ in the north-eastern Spanish city of Borja. | Others have compared it to the doomed and now-notorious attempt by a devout woman to restore Elías García Martínez’s 19th-century fresco of Christ in the north-eastern Spanish city of Borja. |
| Architecture experts, however, have pointed out that the restoration is in keeping with the recent trend for restoring ruins with blank additions. | Architecture experts, however, have pointed out that the restoration is in keeping with the recent trend for restoring ruins with blank additions. |
| Carlos Quevedo, the local architect who oversaw the project, now appears to have had his approach vindicated after the project was selected as a finalist in the architecture and preservation category of the global Architizer A+ awards. | Carlos Quevedo, the local architect who oversaw the project, now appears to have had his approach vindicated after the project was selected as a finalist in the architecture and preservation category of the global Architizer A+ awards. |
| “We’re happy to be nominated, but we’re being cautious until the jury makes its decision,” he told the Guardian. “To be chosen as finalists by a jury of 300 experts – including such esteemed architects as Rem Koolhaas, Steven Holl, Bjarke Ingels and Sou Fujimoto – is recognition of our five years of work and effort.” | “We’re happy to be nominated, but we’re being cautious until the jury makes its decision,” he told the Guardian. “To be chosen as finalists by a jury of 300 experts – including such esteemed architects as Rem Koolhaas, Steven Holl, Bjarke Ingels and Sou Fujimoto – is recognition of our five years of work and effort.” |
| Quevedo added: “As I’ve said before, I believe opinions are always welcome and constructive criticism and debate are always enriching. But I do think that some basic, accurate information can help avoid some of the prejudices that spring from a simple image.” | Quevedo added: “As I’ve said before, I believe opinions are always welcome and constructive criticism and debate are always enriching. But I do think that some basic, accurate information can help avoid some of the prejudices that spring from a simple image.” |
| Last month, the architect said that the restoration process had been guided by three aims: “To structurally consolidate those elements that were at risk; to differentiate new additions from the original structure – thus avoiding the imitative reconstructions that are prohibited by law; and to recover the volume, texture and tonality that the tower would originally have had.” | Last month, the architect said that the restoration process had been guided by three aims: “To structurally consolidate those elements that were at risk; to differentiate new additions from the original structure – thus avoiding the imitative reconstructions that are prohibited by law; and to recover the volume, texture and tonality that the tower would originally have had.” |
| Voting in the awards, which are designed to “nurture the appreciation of meaningful architecture in the world and champion its potential for a positive impact on everyday life” closes on Friday and the prizes will be given on 12 April. | Voting in the awards, which are designed to “nurture the appreciation of meaningful architecture in the world and champion its potential for a positive impact on everyday life” closes on Friday and the prizes will be given on 12 April. |