The Everyone Space

The inhabitants and the numerous visitors to the small village of Pelayos de la Presa usually only meet briefly and superficially. As in many other areas influenced by tourism, people rarely get to know each other at eye level.

The main target of the Everyone Space is to create a location where every person can feel equally at home and which is reminiscent of the community motif of Cistercian architecture. A place where people of all ages can learn from each other, make new acquaintances and spend an enriching time together.

The San Juan Reservoir with its bathing facilities — just a few minutes’ walk from the old monastery — attracts many visitors, especially in the summer season. Hiking and climbing in the nearby forested mountains are also popular activities in the area.

The Everyone Space picks up on the prevalent elements of water, stone and wood that characterize the surroundings. Enclosed spaces are embedded in the existing structure to enable sports, crafts and culture all year round. Barrier-free swimming is possible in the former inner courtyard, the bell tower of the complex becomes a climbing hall and the church ruins are used for games during the day and as an event location at night. People can share their skills in a repair café, and open workshops are freely available for arts and crafts.

You can cook and eat together in the large kitchen and opposite the terrace there is a library where you can warm up by the fireplace after a long hike in winter or relax with a cool drink and a board game after a day of swimming in summer.

An exhibition space for local artists completes the circle around the old cloister, connecting all parts and acting as another meeting point.

The existing building remains largely untouched and retains the unique qualities of its architecture, whose nooks continue to wait to be discovered. The large, central pool inside allows for passive cooling of the surrounding rooms in summer. The extensions will be discreetly integrated into the ruins using clay and natural stone from quarries nearby. Ceilings and interior fittings are made of wood from neighboring forests.

The Everyone Space serves as a welcoming place for everyone all year round, encourages exchange and establishes a scene of art, crafts, music and culture that creates an additional source of income for the community throughout the year.