Carles Enrich Studio's timber scaffolding reactivates 13th-century lookout tower
by Stu Robarts | 18 Feb 2020
Carles Enrich Studio have created a timber frame for the ruin of a 13th-century tower in Catalonia, Spain, that not only helps to support it, but that also provides a means for visitors to explore the heritage structure.
Located in the municipality of Puig-reig, Merola’s Tower was constructed as a lookout point, but is said to have been largely destroyed as a result of earth tremors in the area during the 1500s.
With only one of its faces still standing, the remainder of the tower was at a high risk of collapse, so Puig-reig Town Council and the local architectural heritage service sought to ensure it was protected, bringing Carles Enrich Studio on board.
The firm's aims were to support and preserve the structure, but also to activate it as an attraction for visitors.
The solution to achieve both was to construct an accompanying timber frame for the tower that acts like scaffolding to provide structural support while allowing visitors to experience the heritage tower up close.
The footprint of the frame mirrors where that of the collapsed portion of Merola’s stood, giving a sense of how it once looked, while an internal staircase makes it possible to view the remaining portion right the way up to the top.
What's more, a platform at the top means that the tower renews its original use as a lookout point, with visitors able to take in views of the surrounding area.
Carles Enrich Studio timber tower heritage
It is said to have been largely destroyed as a result of earth tremors in the area during the 1500s / Carles Enrich Studio
Only one full face of the lookout tower is still standing / Carles Enrich Studio
The thinness of the remaining structure meant it was at a high risk of collapse / Carles Enrich Studio
Carles Enrich Studio created an accompanying timber structure for the tower / Carles Enrich Studio
The timber frame acts like scaffolding to provide structural support / Carles Enrich Studio
The aims were to support and preserve the structure, but also to activate it as an attraction for visitors / Carles Enrich Studio
The frame is constructed using 14cm (6in) thick pieces of timber / Carles Enrich Studio
An internal staircase allows visitors to climb the tower / Carles Enrich Studio
The staircase also makes it possible for visitors to view the remaining portion of the tower right the way up to the top / Carles Enrich Studio
A platform at the top means that the tower renews its original use as a lookout point / Carles Enrich Studio
Visitors are now able to take in views of the surrounding area / Carles Enrich Studio
The footprint of the new structure mirrors where that of the collapsed portion of Merola’s stood / Carles Enrich Studio
Carles Enrich Studio have created a timber frame for the ruin of a 13th-century tower in Catalonia, Spain, that not only helps to support it, but that also provides a means for visitors to explore the heritage structure. Located in the municipality of Puig-reig, Merola’s Tower was constructed as a lookout point, but is said to have been largely destroyed as a result of earth tremors in the area during
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