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Over 150 projects from Córdoba’s most outstanding contemporary architecture join the “C-guide”
As of this week, Córdoba is part of the global network of outstanding contemporary architecture, C-guide. It is the tenth city to join the guide, after London, Los Angeles, Sydney, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Chicago, Dubai and Sao Paulo.
Following the event held at the Visitor Reception Centre, Córdoba and its area of influence now form part of this virtual platform, developed entirely in the city by the Fundación Arquitectura Contemporánea (Foundation for Contemporary Architecture), a non-profit organisation based in Córdoba since its creation in 2002. The event was attended by the Mayor of Córdoba, José María Bellido, the Delegate for Digital Transformation and Innovation and President of the IMDEEC, Blanca Torrent, and the Delegate for Promotion, Culture and Historical Heritage, Marián Aguilar, among other members of the municipal corporation. Also in attendance were Purificación Joyera, Territorial Delegate for Regeneration, Justice and Administration, Ángel Pimentel, Territorial Delegate for Tourism, Luis Medina, Vice Rector for Culture, Communication and Social Projection of the University of Córdoba, and Juan Eusebio Benito, Dean of the Official College of Architects of Córdoba.
Launched in December 2019 in partnership with the Cosentino Group, the guide was conceived with the ambitious aim of promoting knowledge and recognition of the most outstanding contemporary architecture around the world.
In Córdoba, a World Heritage city where the past influences the imagination of its inhabitants, the C-guide offers a glimpse of the present through more than 150 projects rated as outstanding by its scientific committee.
“This milestone, both for the C-guide and the city, will open up new attractions for travellers, but above all it is a powerful tool to promote the appreciation of spaces that citizens use on a daily basis”, explained Carlos Anaya, Coordinator of Activities at Fundación Arquitectura Contemporánea.
Anaya was also in charge of conducting the event, in which he thanked the IMDEEC for the funding that has made this milestone possible.
Indeed, many of the most outstanding examples of contemporary architecture in the city, far from dissociating themselves from their historical context, reinterpret it. Sometimes they do so in a conceptual way, as in the case of the C3A or the Medina Azahara Museum by Nieto and Sobejano, both of which have achieved the guide’s highest rating (CCC) and where the city’s past is reflected in their spatial properties and the geometry of the façade walls.
Other times it is about adding a new layer which, as in a palimpsest, dialogues with the pre-existing layers, thus enriching the urban context. This is the case of the Sala Orive, by Francisco Gómez Díaz, the Baum Lab or the Visitor Reception Centre, a project by Juan Cuenca, where the event was held successfully, with full capacity.
The guide also recognises the urban plans developed in recent years, such as the Renfe Plan or the plan for the recovery of the Guadalquivir area, which includes projects such as the Miraflores Park, the rehabilitation of the area around the Roman Bridge -both by Juan Cuenca- or the Guadalquivir Balcony, a project by Juan Navarro Baldeweg, rated with a CCC.
In the field of urban development, the Special Plan for the Historic Centre of Córdoba, by Francisco Daroca, deserves special mention. This plan has been key to preserving the city’s heritage and updating traditional typologies such as the courtyard house, reinterpreted in a contemporary way through projects such as the wonderful Lucano Health Centre by Javier Terrados.
Also noteworthy is the role that some of the selected projects have played in the generation of new urban identities in some of the newly created areas of the city. Special mention should be made of the Palace of Justice by Mecanoo and Ayesa.
The C-guide also recognises the role of the province of Córdoba, a network of towns which form a unique space of relationships with the capital. Projects listed as CC include the Restoration of Baena Castle -by José Manuel López Osorio-, or the Municipal Stadium of Lucena -by Fenwick Iribarren-.
CCC prizes
The highlight of the event was the awarding of the CCC prizes to the creators and developers of the six most outstanding projects of contemporary architecture in the city. On behalf of Cosentino, Santiago Alfonso, Vice President of Communication and Corporate Reputation, awarded them with a commemorative plaque to be placed at the sites: PR Over 150 projects from Córdoba join the “C-guide”
Tags: Architecture, Design, Tips | 3 years ago | Written by: Cosentino
