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Good afternoon,

In my presentation, I am going to speak about 2 projects for public spaces carried out in Alcorcon, a municipality of the metropolitan area to the south of Madrid, in conjunction with Rafael Hernando de la Cuerda. The projects involved the spaces between the apartment buildings of a neighbourhood built in the sixties and seventies and a multi-use public space equipped to accommodate a weekly street market.

I want to speak about them because on two very different scales, they address very common urban problems. They have something in common in that in addition to being two municipal works carried out for the city hall of Alcorcon, they “sutured” degraded areas that had been ignored in the city’s development. The works are located in modest neighbourhoods, and were carried out within very tight budgets. They were different in terms of size, 47,000 and 10,000 square meters respectively. However, we approached both projects with the same attitude.

We always have defended the need to undertake urban improvements as if they were architectural projects, in a desire to diffuse the stagnant division between architecture and urban planning, which has proven so harmful in many cases. Thus, in the case of the project involving the 47,000 m2, we were faced with the challenge of putting our ideas into practice in a large-scale work and in a municipality unfamiliar with the concept of urban design until the very recent past. Parting from a large-scale project, we set out to reach a great level of detail in its definition and execution. The result confirmed that this approach is possible and that our efforts led to an improvement in the quality of life of those affected, especially in areas such as the ones described.

The projects were committed to a high level of quality, as we believed that this effort was especially necessary in an urban environment such as that described, our fundamental objective being to improve the physical characteristics of the urban environment that existed before the works. More than blending into the surroundings through mimesis, we wanted the projects to generate it, discovering and respecting the few positive values of these areas, which had never been treated but at the same time had been mistreated.

Toward this end, we studied the solutions and languages of the historical city, as well as the Modern Movement and 20^th century landscaping (the relationship between artistic vanguards at the beginning of the century and gardening and landscaping, works by Roberto Burle Marx, Aldo Van Eyck,…).

Rather than treating the solutions obtained as stereotypes, given that they had to be adapted to the particular characteristics of each case, we considered them reflections that could be extrapolated to urban spaces with characteristics similar to those that commonly exist in numerous cities.

1. Public Spaces in San Jose de Valderas, Alcorcon (Madrid)
Neighbourhood Remodelling Plan for the City Hall of Alcorcon. Zone 7.

The understanding of the city as a place of relationships compels us to reflect on the need for public spaces that permit and foster these relationships, both in the urban planning phase as well as in individual projects.

The spectacular growth of the Madrid metropolitan area during the sixties and seventies was concentrated primarily in the province’s southern municipalities. Morphologically, this growth took place in the form of new suburbs, in the majority of cases without prior planning or coordination. This gave rise to an extraordinary expansion with enormous deficiencies in infrastructure and services. The main objective of our project was to improve the undeveloped sites in San Jose de Valderas, primarily the spaces between apartment buildings and the border areas characteristic of modest freestanding apartment buildings. These spaces had remained undeveloped due to the speculative nature of the construction. At the outset, the scope of the project did not have any clearly defined limits since we were dealing with disperse areas within an already developed neighbourhood and with various levels of shortcomings. This did not always allow for a comprehensive treatment in all the areas of the development.

For purposes of this presentation, I would like to distinguish between two types of projects.
1.- Comprehensive projects in undeveloped areas, such as the spaces between apartment blocks.
2.- Improvements in previously developed streets where we refurbished or replaced elements of the existing development and infrastructure.

Objectives posed
- Suture the interstitial areas of the city that were never developed.
- Improve the quality of the already developed areas, which in general was very low.
- Endow the area with places whose characteristics permit and foster different types of relationships.
- Foment a “public” sense in the city.

Criteria followed
- Understand, through analysis, the reality and character of each area as a fundamental priority in making decisions in the project.
- Search for codes and a language in order to generate “order” within the existing "disorder"
- Maintain and add trees as a fundamental part of the project.
- Preserve, to the extent possible, the privacy of the ground floor apartments.
- Replace or improve the infrastructure and installations (sewage, drip irrigation, public lighting).
- Define to the greatest detail the terrain to be treated, the paving of the streets, pedestrian areas and gardens, specifying the materials, textures and colours to be used. The layout of the terrain and its treatment are as important as the façades of the buildings.
-  Improve elevations and eliminate architectural barriers.
-  Integrate, into the project and the construction, a large number of variables, which are characteristic of an action of this type, in contrast to the actions in new developments. (neighbourhood relations, to the extent possible maintaining existing urban structures, recently developed adjacent areas, etc.)
- Assume a high commitment to quality in all aspects of the project. We believed that this effort was especially necessary in an urban environment such as the one described.

Project for the Spaces between the apartment buildings.
The spaces between the apartment buildings are similar. They consist of the areas behind the freestanding apartment blocks which are grouped in pairs and aligned in parallel rows. From this rear area it is impossible to access the entrances to the buildings or apartments. These areas had not been developed along with the rest of the neighbourhood although the people used them as an alternative to the parallel streets with traffic.

These units consist of an area measuring approximately 25x175 metres with a height of five stories, all of them residential. Unlike the other areas to be treated, these spaces have a character in between the public and the private. They are public because their use is open to the neighbourhood. However, at the same time, they are somewhat private in nature because of their size, the presence of trees and their relation to the edification.

The basic starting points for understanding these spaces were: the existing trees of significant size, randomly and irregularly situated; the existence of natural paths among the underbrush, running parallel to the rows of apartment blocks; existing elements of infrastructure also placed lengthwise along both sides of the edifications; the orientation of the bottom floor apartments; and the effect on these dwellings that the improvement might have on these up until now infrequently used back areas. The solution we adopted was to search for an order that would organise these areas, adapted to the characteristics described and incorporating the existing irregularities. In line with this solution, we decided to respect the trees; consolidate the longitudinal transit with the sitting and play areas; maintain a higher proportion of surface area for gardens in relation to pavement; and preserve, to the extent possible, the privacy of the street level apartments.

We divided the project into 5 levels: Trees and gardens, Pavement, Installations and infrastructure (Sewer, Drip Irrigation and Public Lighting), Urban Fixtures and Playgrounds.

Trees and Gardens
We maintained all the existing trees in the areas to be treated, incorporating them as a fundamental part of the project. On occasion we built coloured cement basins around the base of the trees to retain water. These basins were made of concrete coloured with inorganic dye during the mixing. They measured between 3 to 5 metres in diameter and also served as seats in addition to the benches. A prefabricated mould was used to make the basins in series at the work site.

We moved the earth in a lengthwise direction, more or less parallel to the edifications, in order to create low undulations in the terrain. The purpose was to diversify the landscape and at the same time ensure, to the extent possible, the greatest degree of privacy for the ground level apartments in these areas. For this reason, on the slope of the knolls facing the buildings, we planted fragrant plants and bushes such as thyme, rosemary and lavender, etc. This created a dense, difficultly fordable vegetation, which we envisaged would create a less accessible area next to the buildings. We chose this type of vegetation because it is easy to maintain, is indigenous to the area, and because of its aromatic properties depending on the season.

Pavement
We used pavement suited to the different surroundings and uses of the paved areas, laying prefabricated coloured cement paving stones for the sitting areas and prefabricated cement flagstone of the same colour as the raised basins for the lengthwise walkways. In both cases, the placement was defined in detail. In each situation we looked for a placement code that would let us resolve irregularities, meeting points, etc., based on two standard size pieces, 120x60 cm and 60x60 cm prefabricated pieces for the walkways, and 10x20 cm and 10x10 cm for the paving stones of the sitting areas.

The earthen surfaces used in the playground areas, were also treated as pavement, in that we constructed a drainage system and used non-clayey, non-purulent soils.

Installations
We installed a whole new sewer system, a drip irrigation system in the gardened areas with a drainage system in the areas adjacent to the buildings, as well as a public lighting system with symmetrical and asymmetrical lamps depending on the area, so as to avoid an excessive illumination of the apartments. As a general criterion, we avoided running installations through paved areas with a view toward facilitating future repairs and maintenance.

Urban fixtures
We designed two elements of urban fixtures for this project. Both are based on the same concept of simplicity, quality and durability. They consist of 2 stanchions made from prefabricated coloured concrete. In the case of the waste bins they are completed with a metallic basket. In the case of the benches, they are fitted with treated Iroko wood planks for the back, the seat and the armrests. They respect the concept of the traditional wooden bench, but they are more resilient and more difficult to move.

Playgrounds
We considered playgrounds, with elements for different ages, to be an important part of the project. In choosing the elements, we particularly valued that they be fun and made from quality materials. We also sought to make their installation characterise the place where they were located, emphasising their spatial values and certain degree of formal abstraction.

2. Urban space – Weekly street market in San Jose de Valderas. 1^st Phase.
Remodelling and fitting of the public spaces of the Street Market and the surrounding area.

There are numerous examples in the traditional city of public spaces with multiple uses. We chose the Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy, and the Plaza Mayor of Chinchon as references. Both these plazas are conceived in such a way as to accommodate, in addition to their daily use, exceptional celebrations in which the entire population participates, such as the festival of the Palio in Siena and the bullfights in the festival of Chinchon. Chinchon also periodically uses its Plaza Mayor as a market. On these occasions, the aspect of the plazas completely changes.

The street market of San Jose de Valderas, is held one day a week in an open area next to two important streets, which over the past few years have become a fast way of reaching the Boulevard, on the same block as the Municipal School of Music, and adjacent to several public schools and other services. The site had been left as an undeveloped island. There were no installations or pavement, and water accumulated in the area as a result of its lower elevation with respect to Carballino Street.

Solution adopted
Our approach was to fit out the area to accommodate the Street Market, and at the same time refurbish a part of the city (before a border area and currently an area integrated into the city) as an urban space for daily use when the Street Market is not held. In this way, we hoped to overcome its previously residual character and reconcile its periodic weekly use with its location, surrounded by public schools, the Music School, etc.

The project included 3 functionally differentiated areas, which in addition to equipping the space with the installations necessary to accommodate the street market, would generate locations and relationships with the surroundings and “suture” this part of the city with respect to the surrounding streets, improving access for vehicles and pedestrians to the School of Music and the adjacent park. We foresaw a 2^nd phase, the construction of a stable pavilion to house equipment, first aid services and public bathrooms, as well as the construction of new parking zones and accesses. Up until now these services are set up on market days on a temporary basis.

The area designated for the stands is a more or less regular 6,010 m2. rectangle. This rectangle is divided lengthwise into 5 rows with 16 stands per row. There are 2 streets running lengthwise and 2 cross streets with a width of 5 and 6 metres depending on the street, in addition to the outside spaces.

The organisation and numeration of the stands is permanently indicated by the layout of the pavement. The paving consists of 8 cm thick prefabricated concrete paving stones designed for vehicle traffic. Each stand measures 6x5 metres and is designated by its corresponding number, assigned to each vendor through an administrative drawing of lots. In the project, this organisational need of the City Hall becomes the non- evident order that generates the image of the street market. It is important to point out that while we did not want the order to be apparent, we wanted the order to generate a formal abstract result which at the same time would evoke the colour and fragmentation of traditional street markets and fairs. Nonetheless, at a closer look, the stands are recognisable, making it easier to control the encroachment on adjacent stands by more influential vendors.

We planted rows of acacias in order to encourage the renewal of the area as a public space when the street market is not held. The trees were planted in rows that run perpendicular to the area’s length in order to create a series of smaller spaces that favour its use as a plaza. The trees are planted in a multipurpose element, specifically a square shaped basin made from two different types of prefabricated concrete. In addition to protecting the tree, these elements serve as benches, include built in floor lights, and house electrical boxes with outlets for the vendors. The size of these basins and the distance between them was determined by the stands such that they also serve as reference points to facilitate the placement and control of the wiring of the stands. The tree trunks are spaced every 15 metres, leaving at least 13 metres of space between the basins so as not to impede the passage of the vehicles used for setting up and taking down the stands. The placement of these elements is organised in such a way as to create a 2x3 metre area for placing garbage containers during the street market. There are 17 such locations for garbage containers, which are placed only early in the morning on the day of the street market and taken away once it is finished. The site is equipped with the installations and equipment necessary to operate the market: sewage, irrigation network with taps for street cleaning, electrical wiring with outlets for services and the vendors, and public lighting.

The system employed in the electrical installation for the power outlets of the vendors, lets you charge the entire area or only certain parts in the case that smaller markets are held. There is a centralised switching system that lets you charge the installation by phases or disconnect it completely when the space is used as a plaza in order to avoid accidents.

Finally, I would like to conclude by emphasising that during the development and execution of the project we held meetings with the two existing merchants associations. Through the municipal services, these associations reached a consensus and accepted the project. I also would like to cite the comments of Wolfgang Braunfels in his book Western Monastic Architecture (“Abendländische klosterbaukunst”, 1969) with regard to San Benito’s rule. I think that it expresses simply, accurately and beautifully a certain attitude which confers an equal importance on that which is quotidian, specific, global or universal.

In chapter XXXI of his rule, San Benito speaks about the obligations of the caretaker of the monastery. “Treat all the furniture and property of the monastery as if they were sacred vessels of the altar. Never fail to appreciate things. (c.f. Documents, number 1, chapter XXXI). This rule was a starting point in the effort to confer formal perfection on the furniture and all utensils in the good monasteries. Here the monk is compelled to see his daily activity as something sacred for the simple reason that it belongs to the monastery. The rule demands an ethical approach to objects that runs parallel to an aesthetic care.

Ana Rodríguez García, architect.
rodriguezhernando@ctv.es

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