After numerous changes in terms of operation and modifications performed over the last ten centuries, we inherit unreadable palimpsest that had lost its physical contact with its citizens and its public destination. Modifications suffered by Magdalena’s Fountain aimed at recovering its original uncertain state and constant rising of ground water level led to its structural damage and abandonment.
This fact puts the architectural projects into a very interesting discussion: the necessity of extension of the public space concept. For that end it is necessary to revise conceptual limits between contemporary public space, hydraulic infrastructure, public fountain and cultural facilities. It was also necessary to think over the recuperation concept itself and we wonder how to integrate this last contemporary stratum, the necessity to recover the essential value of the place appraising the value of the discovered remains.
Final solution is associated both with symbolic value to which the Fountain owes its origin, and with the necessity to recover its dimensions of public space with the help of interpreting aspects of the heritage.