Dearq

Dearq | eISSN 2215-969X

Atlantic architectural modernity and renovation in the Canary Islands: Alejandro Beautell´s Ossuna House in San Cristóbal de la Laguna

No. 13 (2013-12-01)
  • Carlos Javier Castro Brunetto
    1 Doctor en Geografía e Historia (Sección de Historia del Arte), Profesor Titular del Departamento de Historia del Arte de la Universidad de La Laguna, España. Miembro de varios centros de investigación internacionales, especialista en arte y cultura del Brasil, Presidente de la Alliance Française de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España. cbrunett@ull.edu.es
  • David Martín López
    2 Doctor en Historia del Arte por la Universidad de Granada, España. Investigador posdoctoral del Departamento de Historia del Arte de la Universidad de Granada y miembro del Instituto de História da Arte de la Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal. davidmartinlopez@gmail.com
https://doi.org/10.18389/dearq13.2013.18

Abstract

This article discusses the renovation of the Ossuna House (2009-2011) in San Cristóbal de la Laguna in Tenerife. Faced with a plethora of options Alejandro Beautell harmonises the principles of popular Atlantic architecture together with new building materials from contemporary architecture in the Canary Islands. By doing so, he takes on the challenge of renovating a domestic space from the eighteenth century. The materials provide the project with a great conceptual uniqueness as they combine the historic value of the building with a touch of modernity. The timelessness of certain architectural resources complicates the narrative as well as the ability to estimate authenticity; however, the technical rigour of the processes and actions that are completely reversible are the most relevant part of the project.

Keywords: Alejandro Beautell, renovation, Canary Island heritage, Atlantic coast, seventeenth and eighteenth century, modernity, reversible processes