Concatenated thresholds: rehabilitation of an 18th century house for a family of musicians in Seville, Spain

Abstract Accomplished in 2018, the refurbishment of an 18th-century house, which is located in the historic centre of Seville (Spain), constitutes a statement of heritage reactivation as a solid platform for keeping historic centres alive. Rehabilitated by Baum Lab under clear heritage intervention principles—analysis, diagnosis, depuration, consolidation and prothesis—this project aimed to preserve not only spatial and construction values but also their role in shaping contemporary urban life and social dynamics. The new additions, although built of contemporary materials, aim to create a symbiotic coexistence of old and new materials, avoiding a stark contrast. The existing values of the building were preserved not only by revealing and highlighting the original materials and exposing vernacular construction techniques but also by bringing back the hybrid spatial conditions typically provided by this typology to contemporary, domestic dynamics. The sequence of spaces traditionally encountered in Mediterranean patio houses facilitated the establishment of a promenade through buildings, with the patio serving as the central, social core area of these houses. The conceptual strategy for heritage in this rehabilitation was adopted from the design phase until the end of the construction phase. Traditional techniques were employed to consolidate arches, walls, vaults, and lintels—by recovering bricks, using lime mortars, or restoring timber pieces—while the new prostheses, fabricated with contemporary technology, were designed with easy-to-disassemble details. This approach, therefore, aimed to create a new chapter in the life of the building by adding a fresh, permeable, contemporary layer that enriches the historic narrative up to the present without overwriting previous strata. By embracing this nuanced methodology, the project addressed the potential of heritage interventions to contribute not only to preservation but also to the ongoing evolution of historic architecture in contemporary contexts.