Avinguda Exèrcit 35-37
25194 Lleida
Spain
25194 Lleida
Spain
Fax +34 973 275 887
E-mail info@iasoglobal.com
A lightweight sky over the historic courtyard
In a building where architecture revolves around the courtyard, covering does not mean enclosing. It means allowing the space to keep breathing, letting light continue to enter and preserving the sense of openness of the whole. The ETFE skylight introduces this protection with a minimal presence: a transparent, lightweight surface that accompanies the restoration of the palace without imposing itself on it.
The intervention engages in dialogue with a place shaped by time, where lowered arches, galleries, historic carpentry and polychrome coffered ceilings coexist. Beneath the new cover, the courtyard retains its role as a central and open space, while gaining continuity of use and a more stable atmosphere. Natural light remains the main feature; it simply becomes more liveable, more serene, easier to enjoy throughout the day.
TECHNICAL BASE
The intervention is resolved through a square skylight made of transparent single-layer ETFE, a material particularly suitable when protection is required without losing luminosity. Its lightness reduces the visual and structural load on the whole, while its high light transmission preserves the open perception of the courtyard and the full reading of its architectural elements.
From the user’s perspective, the benefit is immediate: the space is protected from rain and other external factors, yet it remains bright, spacious and connected to the sky. In a heritage building undergoing restoration and enhancement, this solution provides a decisive functional improvement without altering the character of the place. The result is a more comfortable and usable courtyard, where the historic architecture can continue to be appreciated naturally and continuously.
