Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe'
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe': Heritage Restauration and Social Innovation
This initiative transforms a centuries old bishop's estate from a ruin in the middle of a village to an inclusive space at the hart of a community. By reviving the 'Mas del Bisbe' through traditional construction knowledge and local materials, we ensure that the people of Bítem can finally make use of this important architectural heritage site as a sustainable space to come together.
Spain
T-301, 4, 43510 Tortosa, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain (cadastral data: Polígon 104, Parcel·la 24, Ref. 43157A104000240000RG)
Prototype level
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
43155: Tortosa (ES)
This initiative aims to reform the 'Mas del Bisbe' architectural heritage site for use by the community of Bítem. Originating from a widely-shared wish of the village's citizens, the former Bishop's estate, which was built in the 12th/13th century and is at the heart of Bítem's identity, will be redesigned into a multi-use space for the many local associations and clubs. Specifically, the current project will ensure that the 'Sala Capitular' hall complies with the requirements for use as a social space by finishing inner and outer walls and woodwork in a sustainable way, as well as by installing proper flooring, electricity, and safety measures. Overall, the initiative is expected to deliver on the enhancement of social cohesion, on the preservation of architectural heritage in classic gothic style, and on the provision of a sustainable climate-prove space for the community. In order to do so, the EMD Bítem engages with all involved stakeholders, makes use of traditional knowledge, sustainable local construction materials, and centralises the necessities of the citizens.
Social cohesion
Sustainable renovation
Inclusive access
Heritage preservation
Grassroots initiative
Reviving the 'Mas del Bisbe' is exemplary in terms of sustainability through the use of traditional local knowledge for re-purposing, material choice, and climate adaptation. In all aspects, the initiative makes use of what exists already. Instead of creating a new community space from scratch, the EMD Bítem chooses to re-purpose an existing building with much potential for this role, thereby preventing many construction emissions. There, the only way to preserve the authentic character of this 13th century gothic-style complex, is to make use of traditional local construction knowledge, which implicates the choice for sustainable materials such as wood and natural stone over the more conventional and polluting steel and concrete. A final advantage of this approach is that the traditional local materials and building style provide a natural way of isolating the building, which makes it better adapted to the heat in the increasingly changing climate of the Mediterranean region. Especially this use of traditional construction methods for more sustainable renovation, makes the initiative truly exemplary.
Reviving the 'Mas del Bisbe' is exemplary in terms of aesthetics and experience through its restoration in original Medieval style, its match with the surroundings, and its central role for the identity of the village. The complex of buildings, which saw original construction in the 12th and 13th century, contains many architectural elements that are characteristic for Medieval times (see for example the Gothic-style arches of the hall and the Romanic-style chapel) and which will be restored in full glory. Through the restoration of these elements, the estate will come to match aesthetically once again the many buildings in the village that were constructed around the same time with the purpose of supporting the Bishop's residence. This connection to the origins of Bítem makes that the complex fulfills a central role in the identity of the village and that its restoration into an ideal space for the community comes with many proud and positive associations for the citizens. The unique opportunity of using authentic architectural restoration to give an abandoned building that is so central to a community's identity back to the people, is what makes the initiative truly exemplary.
Reviving the 'Mas del Bisbe' is exemplary in terms of inclusion through its grassroots origins, its openness for use on demand and its accessible infrastructures for all. The initiative originates very much from the broadly-shared wishes of local citizens to have a suitable space for their associations and see this important characteristic building restored. This broad demand makes it even more evident that the final complex will have to be accessible for everyone in the community. This includes the implementation of a site management system in which it is possible for all citizen activities to request the use of the space without any significant costs. More practically, accessibility includes accessways towards the hall suitable for all citizens in the village, as have been implemented on the terrain in the past year. There, the EMD Bítem will ensure a clear marking and separation of areas that are open and safe to access from the parts of the complex that still require renovation and are not open to the public yet. Subsequently, the green space around the buildings can be made available for all citizens to enjoy as recreative space. Together, these elements of inclusion through grassroots origins and accessibility for all make the initiative truly exemplary.
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe' comes with a strong participatory dimension through its connection to village associations in terms of initiation, design, and follow-up. It is a project that originates very much in the grassroots of local civil society as it have been the associations requesting a permanent indoor assembly space. Responding to these calls, the EMD Bítem has started dialogues with the identified stakeholders (associations, village council, higher government levels, contractors) to determine if the 'Sala Capitular' hall of the 'Mas del Bisbe' could fulfill this purpose. As the associations have a central role in the community and are identified as the end users of the space, they have had a influential role in setting the requirements for the design of the renovations. As part of the regular meetings that the EMD has with its associations and council, the renovations have been - and will remain - a topic for dialogue. By ensuring this involvement of the end users as well as other important stakeholders, the project team was able to set realistic targets for the renovations and it is expected that the initiative will deliver on all necessities of the associations.
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe' involves crucial multi-level engagement through contacts with different stakeholders for promotion, support, endorsement, and durability. Much of the important engagement around a project like this takes place at the local level. For the case of Bítem, most relevant is the endorsement of the project by the municipality of Tortosa, which legally owns the property and has formed a team with the EMD Bítem from the beginning to present a design to higher government levels. At the county level, the heritage site can become an interesting touristic landmark once completed, which is why the Terres de l'Ebre administration will be involved for promotional purposes. One scale higher, an important co-sponsor of the project has been the province of Tarragona which, pending higher level support, has already assigned much-needed funds to the preservation of the complex when presented with the design. In the context of Catalonia and Spain, BCIL status has been awarded to the complex to assist in underscoring its patrimonial value. On the side of the EU, the initiative of course intends to attract funding for the current renovation and for future improvements of the complex, but also to become part of cultural platforms for the exchange of management knowledge. Together, these engagements make that the project can count on strong multi-level support.
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe' profits from the experience of professionals in different disciplines before, during, and after the renovation. Crucially, during the preparatory phase, local politicians, together with the architect and guided by a political scientist, interacted with different local representatives and professionals to ensure that the final project is both feasible and include as many interests as possible. These dialogue partners included electricians, traditional woodworkers, and fire security experts, as well as pedagoges and health care workers, ensuring suitability of the project for all ages and abilities. During the renovations, traditional craftsmen, heavy constructors and farmers will work side by side to get the best possible result out of the complex and the land surrounding it. Upon completion artists and graphic designers will work with the administration to promote the use of the building by all citizens. The combined expertise of these professionals, across the different project phases, ensures incorporation of many insights and interests in the most feasible way possible.
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe' is especially innovative in its combination of traditional and sustainable building. Whereas in many cases old architecture is being demolished for new construction, the project proposed here chooses to leave the old structure fully intact and restore it to fulfill a new function. Moreover, it does so using traditional and sustainable construction techniques instead of the mainstream modern methods. Crucially, where most comparable projects conduct renovations for commercial purposes, the 'Mas del Bisbe' is truly intended to serve the citizens of Bítem in the best possible way. Together, these elements constitute a strongly sustainable approach that makes the project innovative compared to its counterparts.
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe' follows and approach that rests on two pillars: value for citizens and architectural heritage preservation. The initiative originates from the wishes expressed by citizen associations, which have been involved in every step of the process to ensure that they as end-users profit as much as possible from the created space. Simultaneously, the EMD Bítem seized the opportunity to ensure the preservation of important architectural heritage in the village, making use of traditional construction methods that make the building more aesthetically attractive and more sustainable than modern methods would have done. This combination of citizen-centrism and sustainable conservative construction give the project a unique approach.
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe' comes with many elements in terms of methodology and processes that have a high potential for transferability. If not doing so yet, other projects should certainly adopt a citizen- and end-user-centred approach in social projects. Over the years the EMD Bítem has learned to take citizens that are the users of the reconstructed spaces as the guiding force in its projects. Also in the case of the Mas del Bisbe, this ensures that the initiative is not only pretty or feasible, but also useful in the end. The other transferrable element is the use of traditional knowledge for construction projects. Not only does this approach often ensure a good fit of the building style with its environment, but it also frequently makes use of more local and natural materials than more modern methods. Like in the case of the Mas del Bisbe, this creates a more sustainable end result in terms of used materials and isolation. These two elements, no matter how obvious, are often forgotten and can find good replication in other cases.
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe' addresses global challenges relating to heritage preservation, climate change, and polarisation, through its approach of local knowledge and re-use. Globally, the preservation of architectural heritage is under pressure from armed conflict, ideologic extremism, and economic development. The present initiative re-centres this preservation by re-designing the architectural site as a space for the community. Restoring a structure that the citizens can be proud and make use of, contributes to community cohesion and counter-acts the widespread polarisation in society. Moreover, by using traditional knowledge and skills for this restoration rather than modern methods, the initiative stimulates re-use and the use of local sustainable materials for buildings that are better adapted to the global challenge of climate change. Together, these local actions contribute to a global positive movement that can address global challenges.
Reviving 'Mas del Bisbe' has seen an elaborate multi-stakeholder process in the planning and preparation phases, and is now ready to be implemented with way more future potential to come. A variety of citizen groups, professional experts and government levels has been involved in the design of a more beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive Mas del Bisbe. With funding expected and construction about to start, the EMD Bítem looks at the future of the complex. Outside of the 'Sala Capitular' hall, other buildings of the estate are expected to serve the citizens of Bítem in an equally beautiful and sustainable way, for example through museum, event, café, and/or municipal service facilities. For this purpose, outside of the search for further funding, all stakeholders will re-convene again to decide on the wishes and feasibility of further renovations. Through this proven approach, the intention is to make the Mas del Bisbe be a space for both residents and tourists alike, which fits in with the broader argo-tourism network and is at the benifit of the people of Bítem.
