RESTORATION OF ARTÉS MUSEUM. VATS SPACE
The building attached to the Artés Museum is a construction with an irregular floor plan consisting of a basement, ground floor and three upper floors. It was built in different phases, with elements from the mid-16th century until the main action at the end of the 18th century when the entire building was built.
In a previous phase, the building was rehabilitated through a major structural consolidation formed by a new steel structure and composite slabs. A new core of vertical communications has also been built consisting of an interior staircase and an elevator attached to the north facade that communicates all the levels of the building.
These restoration works have revealed a set of elements of great value on the lower floors that describe the importance of the building within the rural and wine-growing context of the area of the municipality of Artés. These are nine vats, two 17th-century water wells and a section of the 16th-century walls.
The objective of the project is to adapt the basement, ground floor and mezzanine floors in order to create a multipurpose space where the old elements that describe the wine-growing past of the building are highlighted.
On the ground floor, an open space is created for cultural uses with direct access from Carrer de la Roca. In this space, the underground vats are highlighted by a perforated sheet metal floor and interior lighting.
On this level, a set of arcades located in the south wall are also recovered and highlighted. These arcades correspond to a section of the 16th century wall and were hidden under the walls of the building.
The action also includes the construction of a metal staircase and a mezzanine that connects the Espai Tines with the vertical communications core of the rest of the building. At the mezzanine level there is also a connection with the attached building through an underground passage.
The basement floor becomes accessible by adapting the staircase that provides access. This way, the vats and water wells can be observed.
