Le Domaine, Abadia Retuerta
Rehabilitation of the Abadia Santa Maria de Retuerta Monastery
Abbey
The Premonstratensian Order was founded in 1120 by St. Norbert, gaining its name from its ancestral home of Premontré Abbey. The intention was life in the community, which should bring together meditation and apostolic activities. Its ideals of life were work, tranquility and hospitality. In 1146, Retuerta was built as an outstation of the ancestral home in France. The complex is characterized by the use of massive stone blocks. The differences between Romanesque and Baroque styles that can be seen in the building are readily identifiable by the dimensions and working of the stone. The different epochs are also recognizable by the different positioning of the windows, the freer Baroque arrangement contrasting with the stricter Romanesque style. In 1662, the abbey burned down and was rebuilt. Along with Santa Maria de La Vid it was the only survivor of the destruction wreaked by Napoleon in 1809. In the 20th century, the abbey sold off many of its art treasures. Since 1931, the abbey has been a national cultural heritage building and is protected as a site of historic interest.
Hotel
The 5-star hotel, named “Abadia Retuerta, Le Domaine”, has been integrated into the abbey complex. It offers 22 rooms, of which 2 are suites, a restaurant, a bar, a comfortable lounge with a fireplace, a wine shop with a wine cellar, and various conference rooms. The complex also houses the new offices of the hotel administration and the wine administration. An outside terrace in the inner courtyard and a summer restaurant in the cloisters offer the possibility of outside seating. The existing church, the sacristy and the chapter house will be made available for special events. A spa is also being planned for a second phase, which will offer not only a sports room and massage rooms but also various hydromassages, saunas and other relaxing water areas. An indoor pool with an outside area and an outdoor pool are planned as well for the second phase. A helicopter pad is available on the island close by.
Architecture
The starting point for the work is the exceptional complex and its 1000-year history. The Premonstratensian ideals, the original monastic use of the complex and the Romanesque and Baroque architecture take account of the changed needs and are reinterpreted while aspiring to ensure continuity. While preserving the existing structure, the room sizes and proportions, new uses have been integrated in line with modern-day needs. Dimensions such as in the Refectory remained intact, albeit newly fitted, and of course unlit rooms have been avoided. The facade enjoys protection as a listed building; new openings have therefore been made where necessary and with precision. In the implementation, very great store was set by the experience of skilled work. The severity and strictness of the abbey complex is a contrast to the warm and comfortable furnishings. The minimal, natural light is being countered with festive artificial lighting, but this has not been given to effects.
Conversion
The conversion will be completed in 2 stages. The first stage has focused on the main complex of the Abbey and the Hospederia, and the outside sections. In the second stage, the building of the former Caballerizas will be renovated and converted into a spa. Also, outbuildings that are no longer needed have been deconstructed. The building work has been essentially broken down into 2 main points of emphasis. 1. The consolidation of the old and in some cases historic building substance, rendering it safe and sustainable. 2. The incorporation and integration of a contemporary interior finish with technical installations. The planning work was carried out by a Swiss-Spanish consortium of planners. Implementation has been in the hands of a local general contractor, who carried out all the necessary work. Project Leadership and Project Management was provided from Basel. Start of planning for the Hotel was in Spring 2006. Start of construction of the Hotel was in May 2008. The Hotel will be operational from Fall 2011. The Spa will be operational from Spring 2013.
Landscape architecture
A basic principle of Romanesque culture was the symbiosis of people and nature and thus of architecture and landscape. The project attempts to achieve a harmony between interior space and outside space and thereby enrich the whole complex. In principle, every room has a view to bring the character of the place as close as possible to the visitor. The abbey garden has been left as it was found, with the summer restaurant planned in the cloisters and all adjacent rooms being assigned new uses. This allows the abbey garden to become the focal point of the complex once again. The cloistered courtyard, originally used as a maintenance yard, has been converted from a hard gravel surface to a replanted and green outdoor space. Integrated into this space is an outside terrace that offers the possibility of buffets or breakfasts. A space for sun beds will also be provided here for the spa. The whole area has been enriched with a herb garden and fruit trees. The buildings around the complex, such as the “Oficinas” and the “Almacen” have been demolished.
Art
East of the abbey complex stands the newly built Heckenmuseum, which was completed in May 2009. A museum measuring 32.80 m in length and 23.70 m in width and made of “red acacia” and tamped concrete stands in the middle of the fields. Inside the museum are numerous sculptures by the German sculptor Ulrich Rückriem, among them various mural reliefs such as the “TV” made of French granite “Bleu de Vire”, the black block “Kaba” polished to reflection, several floor reliefs, blocks and stelae. On this site and alongside several holly oaks there also stands a 6-meter high stela made of interconnected blocks of stone, which characterizes the place like a landmark. Ulrich Rückriem has also designed the church altar in Anröchter Dolomite and installed 2 sculptures in a side aisle, entitled Monks.
PLANNER
Architect Office Marco Serra, Basle, Mr. Marco Serra / Collaborator Mr. S. Fürst
Interior Design Marlene Doerrie, Milan, Mrs. Marlene Doerrie / Collaborator Mrs. R. Gibbs
Landscape Architect August Künzel Landschaftsarchitekten AG, Basle, Mr. August Künzel / Collaborator Mr. L. Siegenthaler
Local Architect Estudio de Arquitectura Antonio Paniagua, Valladolid, Mr. Antonio Paniagua
Technical Architect Estudio Alfonso Sancho Miguel, Valladolid, Mr. Alfonso Sancho Miguel
LEAD CONSULTANT
General Planner Burckhardt & Partner AG, Basle, Mr. Conrado Granado / Collaborators Mr. A. Hamm and Mr. B. Stahel
CONSULTANTS
Light LKL AG, Bonn, Mr. Andreas Schulz / Collaborators Mrs. M. Weiss and Mrs. I. Ehm
Corporate Design Mifflin Schmid Design, Zürich, Mr. Kaspar Schmid, Mrs. Lize Mifflin
ART
Artist Hedgemuseum, Altar and Monks Mr. Ulrich Rückriem, Köln / Collaborator Mr. A. Karner
ENGINEERS
Civil Engineer WGG Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure, Basle, Mr. Tividar Puskas
Local Civil Engineer NB 35 Ingenieros, Madrid, Mr. Jesus Jimenez Canas
Technical Engineer ID- Lufttechnik + Anlagenbau AG, Mr. Christian Stäuble
Local Technical Engineer Urculo Ingenieros consultores SA, Madrid, Mr. Rafael Urcolo
Dehumidification Mr. Henning Grosseschmidt, Germany
CONSTRUCTION
General constructor Volconsa SA, Madrid, Mr. Angel Hidalgo / Collaborator Mr. E. Gutierrez