AHI Architectural Heritage Intervention

“Contributing to enhancing our heritage, as the way forward for 21 st Century architecture is our raison d’être; to emphasize a diverse, rich vision that necessarily complements the intervention is our mission, and achieving it with reflexive and purposeful efforts is the challenge”.

This project, founded in, and directed since, 2011 by Ramon Calonge, Oriol Cusidó, Marc Manzano and Jordi Portal, architects and members of the Group of Architects for the Defence and Intervention in Architectural Heritage (AADIPA), has, through the years become a platform that includes four actions that are both independent and transversal.
 
The European Award, a biennial event that brings together and showcases the multiple approaches of intervention in Europe.

The International Biennial, a framework that serves to compare and gain closer insight of quality interventions in architectural heritage in non-European countries.

The digital Archive, a live and open window that provides a panoramic view of interventions in the history of our surroundings.

The Forum, a meeting place where you can participate in on-going debates about the main preoccupations and lines of thought about interventions in architectural heritage in Europe.

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L'Hort Petit

  • L'Hort Petit
  • L'Hort Petit
  • L'Hort Petit
  • L'Hort Petit

The Museum of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes developed a multidisciplinary project to restore the 'Hort Petit' (catalan for 'small orchard') as a historically accurate medieval garden using only pre-1492 species. Archaeological work identified five phases of use (14th–19th c.) and enabled recovery of historic paths and a gravity-fed irrigation system. A cross-shaped network of 'sèquies', built with reused materials, divides the garden into four plots, with paths aligned for access and traditional flood irrigation. Species selection was based on medieval sources, applying organic methods such as polyculture, crop rotation, and natural fertilisers to ensure sustainability. The design includes spaces for rest, learning, and inclusive participation, along with lightweight wooden pavilions for horticultural work and visitor support. Reused materials from the monastery reinforce historical continuity, while the overall intervention promotes environmental awareness and public engagement.

Category

Exterior spaces

Edition

7
Shortlisted

Year

2024

Author

JAAS
Josep M Julià, Jordi Gorgues, Manuel Julià

Project team

Ane Unamuno, Tiaré Gálvez

External collaborators

Daniel Abella

City

Barcelona

Country

Spain

Surface area sqm

1.800

Cost €

620.000

Client

Public
Museu Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes

Original Programme

Monastery Orchard

Programme

Public Space

© Photographer

Adrià Goula, Rosa María de los Heros

Períod

Gothic

Type of intervention

Transformation

Level of intervention

Total / Integral