E.13 TURNING WEAKNESSES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

The inspection of the Punta Begoña Galleries has initially involved a preliminary survey for stabilising the structure. The outcome of this was the identification of the priority actions that needed to be undertaken. These included working on a couple of stretches of concrete slabs beneath the hall in the concealed area on the cliffside, given the risk posed by the advanced rusting of its reinforcing and water coming in from the gardens.

We decided to work on them and dismantle them in 2015.

Making the most of the opening made, we thought it was a good idea to install a temporary stairway that would connect the interior with the garden above, just as the one a hundred years ago had done so on the other side of the hall. This led to the cleaning of that part of the cliffside and the installation of a wooden structure that serves several purposes:

• Easier access for builders and researchers to the rear areas of the galleries, with a view to analysing and working on the structure and the cliffside.
• Linking the hall and the garden above.
• Extending the tour of the galleries to include one of their more unique and remarkable areas, providing an understanding of the terrain at Punta Begoña and the relationship between the building itself and the cliffside it stands on.

The extension of the tours in 2016 meant we were in a position to showcase the top garden, which had been inaccessible up until then. To do so, we installed a walkway along the garden, which recreates one of the original paths designed in it: a walk among hedges and tamarisks, close to the balustrade on the galleries, from where one can enjoy the views out over the bay, El Abra.