The site’s main constraint is the downslope of the land. The village of Banca clings to the mountainside and the plot drops down three metres along its length. Our choice therefore involves total use of the landscape and the shape of the embankment, along a large existing retaining wall.
The other constraint is the architectural image of the village of Banca, marked by a deeply-rooted Basque regional identity. This project needs to be able to combine local know-how and a modern style for everyone to accept it. The aim was to make the most of the specification and these constraints.
The 3 metre height difference between the highest and lowest point calls to mind an entire storey slotted into the land, with a low entrance (technical entrance for the museum) and a high entrance (public entrance for the café).
This would fit the specification that includes a museum on the local mines (therefore not needing a lot of light) and a café that actually needs to be seen, facing outwards. The idea is that this stone pedestal should become an actual extension of the public space, sequenced by the protected high plot, the reception and the balcony viewpoint over the landscape.
Most of the materials inside are left rough. It is the fitting quality that highlights the finishes.
The «technical» premises (toilets, lift, kitchen) are packed on to the embankment side and entirely fitted out in wood, to optimise free space on the landscape side for the café and the information area. It maintains the same spirit, offering an intimate connection with the material: the exhibition content was printed directly on to the wooden panels.
Information hierarchies were created thanks to the texture of the material on which the information is printed (wood, Plexiglas, adhesive).
