Taking as a starting point the previous research work of this team Study of Mudejar civil architecture in the regions of Borja, Aranda, Calatayud and Daroca and its efficient management, this new research project, entitled New models of Cultural Management and Financing for restoration projects of Mudejar civil-monumental buildings in the province of Zaragoza, seeks to expand on what has already been studied and develop a preliminary project focused on the practical part.

The core of the work has focused on the house-palace of the Luna family in Daroca, a Mudejar civil building in which Don Pedro de Luna, better known as “Papa Luna”, lived. This building is now in disuse. This research seeks a functional solution for this building that justifies its restoration, respecting its original structure and distribution as far as possible, extending its use over time and allowing it to be a self-sufficient, self-financing and useful building.

After the work of study, research, fieldwork, various proposals and meetings with the Fundación Campo de Daroca (owner of most of the building), the town council of Daroca, and the architect-visitor Javier Ibargüen, the proposal to convert this emblematic building into the new archive-library of the regional capital was accepted. With this decision, the objectives of conservation, utility and self-sufficiency were achieved. The original structure and layout would be maintained, as the available space was more than sufficient, cultural purposes would be promoted as an attraction for the region and, in addition, employment would be created, as cultural activities would be carried out in the centre itself.

In order to carry out this mission, a working methodology has been developed that will address it in several phases:

1. Study of the building and development of a master plan to verify the needs of the building for its restoration and adaptation to the management project that was decided to be carried out on it. This work was done in collaboration with the architect Javier Ibargüen, and on the basis of the previous studies he had already carried out on the palace.
2. Study of the possibilities that the building offered for its second life, trying to respect as much as possible its original structure and distribution. The study was carried out in collaboration with the Campo de Daroca Foundation and the local town council. In order to make the best possible decision, the management of this use and the benefits that would be obtained through it were assessed.
3. Development of the final draft project and calculation of the budget for the work, for which a search for different sources of funding would be sought.
4. Finally, with the support of public and/or private entities, workers would be hired to carry out the restoration work and those required by the new function of the building.

The work objectives were always twofold: the study of the building and its architectural characteristics and the search for appropriate uses, linked to the historical-cultural interest, and its good management, always pointing out self-sufficiency and self-financing as the main aims, as well as its continued use over time, trying to respect the original structure and distribution.

LINE OF RESEARCH: (3 Cultural heritage management.

AUTHORS:

• Marta López Veamonte, art historian.
• Ricardo Monreal Lafuente, art historian.