In the enchanting city of Venice, Italy, architects Ricardo Flores and Eva Prats have crafted a captivating installation that delves into the intricate layers of architectural heritage. Through their project titled “Emotional Heritage,” Flores & Prats invite visitors to embark on a journey through four thematic explorations, each offering profound insights into the essence of time, collective experience, and the adaptive reuse of existing structures.
Drawing with Time
Central to Flores & Prats’ philosophy is the notion of drawing inspiration from existing buildings. By meticulously observing and documenting the passage of time within these structures, the architects breathe new life into their designs. One such exemplar is the Mills Museum in Palma de Mallorca, where they artfully enhance existing qualities and geometries, seamlessly integrating the temporal dimension of the building into their architectural narrative.
The Value of Use
In challenging the conventional notion of heritage, Flores & Prats emphasize the intrinsic value of everyday architecture. Through projects like the Yutes Warehouse and the Beckett Room in Barcelona, the architects celebrate the cultural significance of seemingly mundane elements, reimagining abandoned spaces as vibrant hubs of community interaction and cultural exchange.
The Open Condition of Ruins
Venturing into the realm of ruins, Flores & Prats perceive these remnants of the past as eloquent storytellers, bearing witness to the ebb and flow of history. Projects such as the Cultural Laboratory Variétés in Brussels exemplify their commitment to breathing new life into forgotten spaces, fostering a dialogue between past and present that transcends temporal boundaries.
The Right to Inherit
Embracing the responsibility of stewarding architectural legacies into the future, Flores & Prats advocate for a thoughtful and respectful approach to adaptation. Through transformative projects like the Casal Balaguer Cultural Center and the Favorita Fab Lab, the architects demonstrate the power of preservation and innovation in harmonizing the old with the new.
In their exhibition space, Flores & Prats have curated an immersive experience that transcends traditional boundaries. Through sketches, models, and interactive displays, visitors are invited to engage with the creative process firsthand, contributing to an ongoing dialogue about the evolving nature of architectural heritage.
As guardians of “Emotional Heritage,” Ricardo Flores and Eva Prats inspire us to reconsider our relationship with the built environment, urging us to embrace the past as a source of inspiration and innovation for the future.
