Santiago de Compostela

The ceremonial pilgrimage paths to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostella were researched to study the historic urban links within this City in Northern Spain .
The complexity of the urban space and the relation to terrain was modelled using computers to give an overview of the spatial networks which characterise this city.
The views of the cathedral appeared and disappeared as the streets changed angle, pitch and size. Social meeting points occurred at junctions and where streets swelled to reflect the importance of adjoining buildings.

The cathedral, by contrast set up a series of horizontal platforms which contrasted with the terrain and framed the approaches to the sacred interior. The granite paved roof formed a theatre to observe the surrounding city and landscape framed between the bell towers.

Project Team
Carl Callaghan, Penny Dearman and students of University of East London Dept Architecture Unit C