seminary make over by andrés jaque arquitectos

an abandoned fifteenth century seminary in northern extremadura, spain has recently been renovated by
madrid-based architecture firm andrés jaque arquitecto. commissioned to turn casa sacerdotal diocesána de
plasencia into a residential house for retired priests, the converted space boasts a brightly colored interior that
seems a bit anarchist, appearing to look more like a contemporary art gallery or an ultramodern discotec
rather than a house of religious practice.

the old garden has been divided into plots, reserved for each of the priests residing there. the priests get to
decide what to do with their plot without having to ask for permission on how it will be utilized. the priests were
also asked to get involved with the interior decoration of the space. each one was asked to bring in a lamp which
they fancied from their previous homes, creating a kitsch-like display of lighting throughout the building.

probably one of the most important and most debated spaces of the conversion is the chapel which was designed
in such a way that priests could move the furniture around into a desired formation for the religious ceremonies
and rituals they perform, but unfortunately many of them refuse to use it as their place of worship.

http://www.andresjaque.net

photo by miguel de guzmán

photo by miguel de guzmán

photo by miguel de guzmán

photo by miguel de guzmán

photo by miguel de guzmán

—
via placebokatz