Renovation and Expansion of Irura Town Hall by BARRU ARKITEKTURA SLP: A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Contemporary Design

Located in the heart of Irura, Spain, the Irura Town Hall stands as a central landmark opposite the village church. In 2024, BARRU ARKITEKTURA SLP undertook the ambitious project to renovate and expand the historic town hall, preserving its rural architectural identity while introducing a modern, sustainable extension that enhances functionality, accessibility, and energy efficiency.

Preserving Heritage with Thoughtful Renovation

The original town hall building features a roughly square layout and embodies the traditional farmhouse architecture typical of the region, with visible ashlar stone elements defining its character. Despite its historical charm, the structure faced limitations in accessibility and energy performance, necessitating a careful and comprehensive renovation.

The project aimed to increase usable space by 50%, ensuring the building could meet the evolving needs of the local administration while maintaining a respectful dialogue with the original structure.

Contemporary Expansion with a Distinctive Language

The newly added volume introduces a polyhedral and abstract form, creating a clear distinction from the original architecture. This contemporary annex features a skin of vertical wooden slats that subtly veil the new openings, preserving the integrity of the historic façade. The design functions like a light veil, allowing transparency without altering the composition of the original building.

Internally, a north-south communication axis organizes movement through the building. The existing elevator is retained within the historic volume, while a new staircase is incorporated into the expanded section. The roof unifies both volumes, and the elevator shaft doubles as a light well, introducing natural illumination deep into the core of the building.

Sculptural Design Responding to Context

The extension's geometry is sculpted to respond to urban pedestrian routes, with chamfered corners creating a dynamic interface with the public square. The slatted wooden exterior offers a warm, changing texture, interacting with light and shadow throughout the day and across seasons, enhancing the building’s presence in the village fabric.

All photographs are works of Jorge Allende