Cistern Conversion into Multi-Purpose Space by Estudio Úbeda Valero + Roque Carlos Valero

Adaptive Reuse of Historical School Infrastructure

The Cistern Conversion into a multi-purpose space, designed by Estudio Úbeda Valero in collaboration with Roque Carlos Valero, exemplifies innovative adaptive reuse in contemporary architecture. Located within the historic Inmaculada Jesuitas School in Alicante, Spain, this mid-20th-century campus is nestled on the slopes of the Serra Grossa. Originally, the site required extensive interventions on the terrain and incorporated a sophisticated hydraulic system to supply water to the entire school. Central to this system were two semi-buried cisterns, built to distribute water by gravity. Over time, with the advent of public water supply, these structures fell into disuse for more than fifty years.

Reimagining Forgotten Spaces

Faced with the need to expand the school’s facilities, the project team recognized an opportunity to revitalize the forgotten cisterns. The design approach emphasizes conservation and enhancement rather than erasure. Both the interiors and roofs of the cisterns, which historically supported complementary activities, were carefully restored and reactivated. This adaptive strategy not only preserves the historical essence of the structure but also gives it a contemporary function as a vibrant multi-purpose space.

Design Concept: Enhancing Latent Volumes

The architects approached the cisterns as large, neutral containers with a commanding spatial presence due to their scale and raw materiality. The transformation does not seek to mask the original semi-buried character but instead enhances it. Strategic apertures were introduced to invite natural light into the interior, creating a dynamic interplay between shadow and volume.

Within this monumental backdrop, contemporary interventions are conceived as light, reversible elements—akin to furniture rather than traditional architecture. These insertions define distinct functional areas, accommodating new programs without compromising the continuity of the existing space. By maintaining the distinction between old and new, the design celebrates the building’s historical narrative while providing modern usability.

Minimal Intervention, Maximum Impact

The renewal of the cistern is not achieved through radical transformation but through careful, precise gestures that activate the inherent potential of the structure. Every design decision emphasizes subtlety, ensuring that new interventions complement rather than compete with the original infrastructure. This approach demonstrates a thoughtful balance between preservation and innovation, making the cistern a functional, aesthetically compelling, and contextually sensitive space.