About the Fences – Clara Campoamor Square in San Silvestre de Guzmán by estudio veintidós

In the heart of San Silvestre de Guzmán, the Clara Campoamor Square project by estudio veintidós revitalizes the town’s public space through a sensitive interpretation of local architectural traditions. Situated in the Andévalo region of Huelva, this urban intervention draws inspiration from the historical landscape, where stone fences, shale and lime walls, traditional mills, clear water troughs, and wells define the rural surroundings. These elements, historically tied to agriculture and livestock management, form the cultural fabric of the area and are seamlessly integrated into the square’s contemporary design.

Reimagining Rural Public Space Through Local Heritage

About the Fences – Clara Campoamor Square by estudio veintidós redefines the meaning of public space in San Silvestre de Guzmán, a small town in the Andévalo region of Huelva, Spain. Drawing inspiration from the traditional stone fences, shale and lime walls, and ancient wells that characterize the local landscape, the project transforms vernacular construction techniques into a contemporary architectural language for community interaction and environmental integration.

The architects sought to reconnect the town’s public realm with its agricultural and territorial identity, blending history, ecology, and social use into one cohesive spatial narrative.

Integrating Local Identity into Urban Regeneration

The design concept emerged from observing how, over generations, fences and boundary walls became multifunctional elements — acting not only as enclosures but also as benches, planters, and landscape dividers. estudio veintidós reinterprets this humble yet poetic typology to regenerate Clara Campoamor Square, creating a new border element that seamlessly connects with existing urban forms while enhancing the social and environmental quality of the space.

The intervention establishes a continuous perimeter that both frames and protects the square, integrating seating areas, planted boundaries, and water features. These architectural gestures invite residents and visitors alike to pause, rest, and engage with the surrounding landscape.

Designing with Nature: Shading, Water, and Local Vegetation

To shield the square from the noise and pollution of nearby roads, the architects introduced a layered landscape of native vegetation — including strawberry trees, holm oaks, and rosemary — all species native to the Andévalo region. The inclusion of tree pits, water points, and shaded seating areas transforms the space into a microclimate of comfort and reflection.

A permeable earthen pavement forms the ground plane, creating an “earthen carpet” that encourages natural water drainage while defining a central social area open to the town. A long continuous bench anchors the square’s composition, its base enriched with shrubs that add color, fragrance, and texture throughout the seasons.

Above it, a vegetal pergola provides essential sun protection, offering cool shaded zones during Andalusia’s hot summers. The design culminates under a canopy of existing pine trees, where a fountain and water pillar introduce sound, moisture, and sensory richness — bringing vitality to the town’s edge.

A Dialogue Between Tradition and Contemporary Design

About the Fences exemplifies a sensitive approach to rural urbanism, where the boundaries between architecture, landscape, and memory blur to form a living space that evolves with the community. estudio veintidós uses the language of local materials and forms — stone, lime, and vegetation — to design a square that belongs to its people and place, fostering continuity between past craftsmanship and future use.

All photographs are works of Juanca Lagares