WATER, STONE AND... PITCHERS
RINCÓN DE LA FUENTE DE ARRIBA Y DEL CRISTO DEL MARCELO, Álora, Málaga.
The Project proposes recuperating a small public space close to the Plaza de Arriba in Álora, a white and pleasant Andalusian village. There was an ancient fountain close to a niche protecting an image of the Cristo del Marcelo. It is placed at the entrance of the historical centre.It was occupied by three palm trees, two kiosks and some waste containers. The surfaces were covered by different materials. Excepting the palm trees, the other elements has been removed in order to leave the space breathing.
The water sings again in the urban corner. Is a simple place for meeting where the fountain is the main element, flanked by two palm trees and a bougainvillea. Stone and water are the main materials that conform the project. The fountain has similar proportion than the original. It is formed by a long vase and a large stone front. As it happened during last century a vibrating stone paved carpet introduces it to the pedestrian. Some stone ceramic circles as “souls of pitchers” show its ancient use.
During the building works appeared an original piece of the fountain.
The new one takes it shape from its size thank to six limestone blocks. All other surfaces, wall and floor, are covered in granite stone in different sizes. Small ones are placed on static places for resting as well as on the wall. The bigger ones occupy a stripe along the street for moving. The veranda creates a new vibration reusing the material of the original one. The palm trees direct the urban composition. Under them, some stone benches, simple granite bars, propose meeting or resting places close to two orange trees and the sound of the fountain.n the niche, up to the bougainvillea, a gold aura enhances the Christ celebrating its presence.
The one who sings is the water. It springs from two brass spouts separated as the original ones. It leaves its print as waves in the stone. Afterwards it joins the stone creating a quick waterfall filling a big vase of quiet and reflecting water. The spring transforms into a trough. Finally, water runs away through five fissures on limestone closing the cycle. It appears again as a mysterious spring from a close granite wall, only visible thanks to its print on the pavement.
The Rincón, is a new place where pedestrians could find the essence os the cultural urban landscape of Álora.
Team:
WaterScales architects:
Carmen Barrós Velázquez y Francisco J. del Corral del Campo
Surveyor: Fernando Casquero Lacort (Terral arquitectos)
Promoter: Ayuntamiento de Álora
Building company: Construcciones Aguipín SL
Assistant: Marta Gragera Caballero, architect.
Historical assistant: María José Sánchez Rodríguez, Álora History Museum
Installations: Antonio Martí Jiménez. Engineer
Photographer: Fernando Alda
Materials used:
-Limestone, Fountain: Mármoles Guadalhorce.Mácael, Almería
-Granite stone and benches. Pavement: Granitos Quintana
-Brass pipes: Fuentes ornamentales sl.
