on an island in the mediterranean, architect marià castelló martínez has restored a two-storey monument that dates back to the mid-18th century. completed in 1763, the ‘pi des català’ tower is one of four defensive lookout structures on the coast of formentera, the smallest of spain’s balearic islands. the landmark structure, which measures approximately 12.5 meters in diameter, has now been sensitively renovated and is able to facilitate public visits.

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
all images by marià castelló

 

 

throughout the project, marià castelló martínez has used a limited palette of materials that each relate closely in tone to their original counterparts. in places, weathering steel has been used to emphasize the unapologetically contemporary nature of the intervention. as the building is a protected landmark, the brief stressed the importance of retaining the building’s character and identity. consequently, architectural changes have only been made for safety reasons or where structurally necessary.

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
visitors enter through a new corten-framed doorway

 

 

upon entry via a new corten-framed doorway, visitors are greeted with the tower’s largest space. here, the original stone staircase has been replaced with a steel structure hung from above. when in use as a defensive lookout, the building was accessed at its upper level for security reasons. this entrance was guarded by a machicolation — an overhead opening, through which stones or boiling liquids could be dropped on attackers. the aperture is accessed via a new spiral staircase that leads to the rooftop deck.

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
the original stone staircase has been replaced with a steel structure

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
the staircase is suspended from above

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
the upper level of the two-storey structure

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
when in use as a defensive lookout, the building was accessed via the upper level

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
the stone ceiling has been sensitively restored

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
the former entrance provides the space with natural light

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
a new spiral staircase leads to the rooftop deck

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
staircase detail

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
access to the former machicolation

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
previously existing vegetation has been removed to ensure that the building is watertight

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
the tower is one of four defensive lookout structures along the coast of formentera

marià castelló martínez restores landmark 18th century tower on a mediterranean island
axonometric diagram

 

 

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maria castello martinez pi des catala tower restoration formentera spain designboom
 
maria castello martinez pi des catala tower restoration formentera spain designboom
 
maria castello martinez pi des catala tower restoration formentera spain designboom
 
maria castello martinez pi des catala tower restoration formentera spain designboom
 
maria castello martinez pi des catala tower restoration formentera spain designboom
 
maria castello martinez pi des catala tower restoration formentera spain designboom
 
maria castello martinez pi des catala tower restoration formentera spain designboom
 
maria castello martinez pi des catala tower restoration formentera spain designboom
 

 

project info:

 

name: restoration of ‘pi des català’ tower
location: platja de migjorn, formentera, spain
promoter: consell insular de formentera
architect: marià castelló martínez
building engineer: xico ribas
structure: ferran juan
archaeological monitoring: maría josé escandell
collaborators: marga ferrer, natàlia castellà y jaume escandell
builder: refoart s.l.
project: 2009-2015
end of work: 2016
surface area: 232,92 sqm
photography: marià castelló

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