Palimpsest, a term derived from the Greek “to engrave anew,” refers to parchment that was once used and then scraped clean to make way for new text. The concept of palimpsest also extends to an archaeological phenomenon where layers of human activity accumulate over centuries, creating a historical tapestry. Seville, a city that flourished as the largest urban center in Europe during the Middle Ages, embodies the essence of a living palimpsest. Throughout history, various civilizations, including Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and Arabs, were drawn to its strategic location along the banks of the Guadalquivir River.
Today, the Barqueta Bridge, which played a prominent role in the inauguration of the Expo 92 universal exhibition, connects the technological polygon of La Cartuja with the city’s mainland. It leads to the site where the old Almenilla or Barqueta gate once stood, constructed by the Almoravids. In 1873, a residential complex was erected on its original spot, later renovated by the architect José Espiau y Muñoz in 1924.
However, ACCIONA is now on a mission to breathe new life into this historical area and propel it into the 21st century. With the ambitious Puerta Barqueta project, we have recaptured the essence of Espiau and Muñoz’s original design while integrating the latest cutting-edge technologies. The result is a groundbreaking creation: a unique piece of furniture that blurs the lines between a bench and a sculpture, taking pride of place in the block’s inner courtyard, serving as a symbolic meeting point.
The innovative furniture piece, with its elegant, sinuous forms and surprisingly lightweight, has been masterfully manufactured using the revolutionary 3D printing technique known as contour crafting. This addition becomes a new layer in Seville’s palimpsest, destined to etch its mark in the city’s history books.