MP has been awarded the contract for the Vertical Transport System of the Archaeological Museum of Seville. Inside this emblematic cultural space in the Andalusian capital city, the expected and significant refurbishments of the temporary exhibitions rooms are currently being carried out.

The project and the complex refurbishment works constitute challenges in terms of detailing and sensitive integration into an architecturally unique building.

A unique building

Situated in Plaza América, tourist centre of the town in the heart of Maria Luisa Park, the ex Fine Arts Pavilion has housed the Archaeological Museum of Seville since 1941.
It was built by Aníbal González for the Latin American Exhibition celebrated in 1929 and is a masterpiece of the Andalusian regionalist style, initiated by the renowned architect, most famous for designing Plaza de España.

MP provides an authentic integration of the lift into a unique architectonical setting.

The building and its collections were declared Historic and Artistic Monument in 1962. In the 70’s the museum was reorganized, its structure extended and improved: 19 new rooms were opened, to form a total of 27 current ones.

The Project and the Works

The project design is led by CRV Arquitectos.
This prestigious office is known for leading the design of the new Health Sciences Faculty in Cadiz and, in a brief similar to that of the Archaelogical Museum, carried out interventions at the Atarazanas of Seville and the Archaeological Site of Italica. The office drew up guidelines that combine a strict respect for heritage with aesthetics, functionality and the removal of any architectonic boundaries.

The execution of this demanding feat is being led by Bauen, a company that efficiently coordinates and works on this complex project, capable of meeting very tight deadlines.

MP

The key factor for MP’s being awarded the contract was its extraordinary capacity and flexibility in terms of design schedule, manufacture and installation of precisely tailored lifts. Another decisive element was the availability of resources during the building and manufacturing phases, which allow for the solution of any unexpected problem that could arise in such a huge refurbishment.

The other key factor is probably MP vocation and natural capacity for offering an authentic integration of the lift into its singular architectonic setting, without forgetting the final aim of our work: to remove architectonic boundaries within a structure. For this reason, our solution strictly adapts to the needs of the project design, whose main objective is to combine heritage with functionality, i. e. to reconcile aesthetics with a service for persons with reduced mobility.

Vertical Transport

Two panoramic lifts equipped with hydraulic traction connect the basement with the ground floor and first floor of the museum.
Lifts are set in an enclosure that, thanks to its glass front, allows the inside of the shaft to be seen. The glass doors have been refurbished and have two central landing – opening panels, hiding the door suspension inside the enclosure itself. For the door unlocking triangle, a special solution has been designed.
On each floor, we are asked to make visible only the external frame of the doors, on which the pushbutton panel is set.

The lifts domes are in harmony with the setting.
The cars are equipped with sober stainless steel finishes and a panoramic antimacassar on the internal side. Both landing and car signalling are truly discreet.

The hydraulic technology, together with the creation of a special frame, allow for a total adaptation of the lift to the shaft. However, the design and integral refurbishment plan were tailored to this unique project, allowing for an equilibrium of space and its use. It has to be mentioned that the reduced space represented a strong limitation, but one which didn’t prevent us from guaranteeing the rights of persons with reduced mobility. Optimum access will be provided, in spite of the narrow shaft available in the building.

Finally, the structure disposes with a restricted access control to reach the basement, which was made possible through adapting one of the goods lifts used to carry heavy loads in the museum. Thus fulfilling another essential function for this building.

Manuel Ventura Sala
Special Projects Manager