REIMAGINING CULTURAL HERITAGE
THE SUNKEN CHURCH OF SANT ROMÀ
ARCHITECTURAL BEACON &
MEDITATION SPACE
EL PANTÀ DE SAU - REVIVING THE CHURCH
The idea is to reuse and reimagine the sunken church of Sant Romà de Sau to provide an architectural beacon for the area that will attract short stay visitors and act as a gathering point. The building should also provide a space for meditation and reflection for visitors and the local community to come and step out of their everyday troubles, with a close connection to the surrounding nature and scenery.
Considering the current environmental crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic that we are experiencing globally, it is important that we use our expertise as designers to create considerate and thoughtful sustainable architecture that feeds and nourishes both the earth and us as people. With this in mind, we are asking for applicants to design a piece of vernacular architecture that will be environmentally conscious with a minimal carbon footprint. It should set an example for how architecture can work with the surrounding landscape and benefit areas such as this protected natural park.
EL PANTÀ DE SAU PROJECT BRIEFS
All projects and resources are included within a single payment.
You can choose to take part in any or all of these projects.
El Pantà de Sau - A Beacon for Cultural Heritage
The idea is to provide a piece of iconic architecture for the area that will act as a beacon to attract visitors and be a recognisable symbol of the area, reflecting or incorporating the famous church that sits, partially submerged, in the reservoir.
El Pantà de Sau and its sunken church is one of the most prominent features of its kind across the whole of Spain. The valley in which it lies was home to the small village of Sant Romà de Sau which is now submerged beneath the reservoir, apart from the Church steeple, which is still visible when the water level is low. The reservoir is one of many that provides water for Catalonia’s Capital city, Barcelona and is therefore of huge importance to the area. The reservoir sits within Les Guilleries national park, a protected area spread across 8,300 hectares of the prePyrenees within central Catalonia. Its mountainous landscape is made up of tree topped undulating mountains and dramatic sheer cliff edges. Steeped in nature, activities and rich history, the area has become a haven for the people of Catalonia and visitors to the region.
The design is open to interpretation, and we want designers to be as creative as possible. We have purposely not set a strict brief as we are interested to see what each individual/team creates with just the idea of a vernacular and environmentally conscious design and how these decisions are justified within the submission. In addition to the sustainability considerations of the materials and construction, the proposal should include important water saving and recycling measures that are more important than ever given the harsh drought that Catalonia is currently facing.
All entries will be published and promoted across our global platforms.
SITE ANALYSIS, TOPOGRAPHY & PHOTOGRAPHS
Exclusive package including:
Additional images & videos
Project criteria & details
Local Routes & Site information
Flora & Fauna information
3D CAD Topography
SUBMISSION
Once your project / Thesis is complete you can submit it to have it published across our website and social media platforms.
Head to larsenarchitcture.com/submit.
SUPPORT & CAREER DEVELOPMENT
One-to-one mentoring
Get one-to-one mentoring and coaching from industry professionals. Let our experience and knowledge guide you through this important stage in your career.
We empower students to navigate your career path successfully by providing personalised guidance, industry insights, and networking opportunities, giving you a competitive edge in the industry.
CV/Resume & Portfolio Review
Get a full professional profile review including detailed feedback on your CV/Resume, Portfolio and any online profiles.
We will dive deep into who you are as a designer, your niche, your target client and your unique offer (USP).
We will identify your interests, strengths, areas for growth, and the essence of your personal brand.
A CV/Resume & Portfolio Review is included in this Programme but can also be purchased independently below.
Competitions & Workshops
You will be given UNLIMITED access to all of our competitions, workshops and online resources to help you build your portfolio, develop your skills and win cash prizes.
Our design competitions give you opportunity to step out of the day-to-day to build an impressive and varied portfolio, improve your skills and flex your creativity.
Set in beautiful, dramatic sites, these competition briefs allow for incredible visuals and unique project responses - attracting students and professionals of all backgrounds.
Letter of Recommendation
We want to give you the recognition you deserve and use our reputation to do that. We will provide you with a personalised letter of recommendation from a Chartered Architect and Registered Interior designer with ARB, RIBA and BIID, and publish your work across our global platforms.
We will then personally reach out to your top choice of employer to recommend you for the position.
Interview & Presentation Skills
Get one-to-one support on your interviewing and presentation skills to make sure that you are prepared and confident for any opportunities that come your way.
The best architect doesn’t win the job, the best storyteller does.
It's how you set yourself apart and ultimately move up the career ladder.