The project, which started back in 2002 and cost about 9 million euros, provided for the reconstruction of one of the city's iconic monuments - the courthouse, built at the end of the 19th century by the architect Julian Arteaga Saens. The architects were faced with two almost contradictory tasks: to preserve the historical heritage as fully as possible and, at the same time, to seriously transform the internal structure of the building under the functions of a modern parliament.
The building plan is in the form of an irregular quadrangle. Its external facades were simply restored, while the internal ones were taken over with transparent glass panels. The new skin is held in place by a sophisticated system of steel fasteners and beams, some of which are perforated to create a more sophisticated light play. Thus, the architects managed to completely glaze the courtyard, and without the use of additional supports.
The reconstructed building with a total area of over 11,000 m2 has a clear vertical organization. The center of the lower floor is occupied by the parliamentary meeting room and a spacious atrium, along the edges there are public areas: a cafeteria, a library, an archive, a press conference room, dressing rooms, storage areas. The second floor is given to the executive branch, as well as to legal and social institutions. On the third and fourth are the offices of the deputies and the offices of employees.
L. M.
