Aljibes Viewpoint in Álora: A Contemporary Architectural Journey Through History

The Aljibes Viewpoint, designed by WaterScales arquitectos, is a remarkable example of historic preservation architecture in Spain. Located in Álora, this 297 m² intervention transforms an urban void into a cultural and spatial experience that reconnects visitors with the layered history of the site. Completed in 2022, the project seamlessly integrates adaptive reuse, archaeological discovery, and contemporary design, creating a unique viewpoint rooted in memory and materiality.

Reclaiming an Urban Void in Historic Álora

The project emerged after the demolition of a house once belonging to Pepe Rosas, a renowned flamenco singer. This removal revealed a significant urban void in the historic center, opening visual and spatial connections to both a 16th-century industrial archaeological site and the nearby Arab castle.

Rather than filling the void, the architects embraced it as an opportunity to design a cultural landscape intervention that preserves and highlights the traces of the past. This strategy aligns with modern heritage conservation architecture, where absence becomes a tool for storytelling.

Archaeological Layers and Spatial Discovery

Excavations uncovered hidden historical elements that shaped the project’s narrative. In the southern section, three storerooms house seventeen semi-buried jars dating back to the 16th century, reflecting the site’s industrial past. In the northern area, traditional animal-access stairs lead to a former horse stable, emphasizing the hybrid domestic-industrial typology of the site.

These discoveries informed a design approach centered on experiential architecture, where visitors move through time by physically navigating layered spaces.

Architectural Concept: Traveling Through Time and Texture

WaterScales arquitectos envisioned the project as a journey across history, using textures, materials, and spatial sequences to narrate the evolution of Álora. A thick white brick wall reconstructs the original façade line, acting as both a boundary and an invitation. Carefully carved openings create moments of curiosity, encouraging exploration of the interior.

On the street, subtle interventions such as metal spikes mark the footprint of the former entrance, while a small viewing aperture frames unexpected views of the surrounding hills and castle, blending urban memory with contemporary architectural language.

The Metallic Walkway: A Platform for Observation

A defining feature of the project is the elevated metallic walkway, designed as a lightweight, transparent structure. This intervention allows visitors to hover above the archaeological remains while maintaining visual continuity with the space below.

The walkway functions both as a viewing platform and interpretive path, guiding visitors through the site while offering perspectives toward the landscape. Perforated panels integrate informational text and visual cues, connecting architecture with storytelling.

Materiality and Sensory Experience

Material selection plays a crucial role in enhancing the tactile and sensory qualities of the space. Concrete stairs lead visitors into the former horse stable, transitioning into a sequence of light verandas and fluid pavements.

On the lower level, a textured wall with carefully positioned openings frames views of the village, while a lightweight metal stair, designed as a “floating carpet”, leads to the storerooms. The geometry of the flooring subtly communicates the historical use of the space, reinforcing the project’s educational and experiential intent.

This approach exemplifies sensory architecture, where touch, light, and movement become tools for understanding history.

A Cultural Landscape of Memory and Light

Ultimately, Aljibes Viewpoint is more than an architectural intervention: it is a resonance space where light, sound, and material evoke the passage of time. The project transforms an empty site into a meaningful public space that celebrates the cultural identity of Álora.

By merging historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and contemporary design, WaterScales arquitectos have created a project that invites reflection, exploration, and connection with the past.

Aljibes Viewpoint stands as a powerful example of how architecture can reinterpret history through minimal intervention. It demonstrates how urban voids can become cultural assets, offering immersive experiences that bridge past and present while enriching the urban fabric.

All photographs are works of  Fernando Alda Calvo, Ayuntamiento de Álora