Auditorium in Elche | Beatriz Ramo

The city of Elche is carrying out its biggest and most relevant projects during one of the worst economic crises: the Mirador del Palmeral (Palm Grove Viewpoint), the regeneration of the riverbanks, etc. This could result in the design of more intelligent projects with stronger development strategies.
Now the municipality proposes the construction of a new auditorium as an emblematic building for the city.

If we applied the old way of understanding the word emblematic, we would get another Iconic Building. This is because, during the last period of economic prosperity, the Iconic Building confused the term Emblematic with Egocentric.

The Auditorium of Elche will be emblematic because of its combination of programs, for its capacity to generate urban life, and for its large public square.
The strategic interventions are much more urban than iconic. They are the only valid answer to this new way of thinking. In this moment where private and individual interests are taking over, we want to bring the focus back on the generation of public spaces in cities.
Let’s use this chance to reinvent the relationship between the public building and the city: through the public space.