Spectacular Huercal-Overa Lookout Tower Gets A Rustic Upgrade

An ageless watchtower in Huercal-Overa, Spain recently received a rustic and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/genslers-green-sfo-terminal-renovation-to-be-completed-this-april/">sustainable renovation</a> that makes the old building accessible to visitors again. <a href="http://www.castillomiras.es/en/proyectos/torre-huercal-overa.html#">Castillo and Miras Arquitecturos</a> added a rustic <a href="http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-spanish-prefab-home-put-together-in-only-3-days/">cor-ten steel</a> staircase to the original stone tower, creating a glass-encased bridge. A small information center at the base of the building is made of the same material.

This beautiful lookout tower needed an upgrade.

But it was important not to disturb the existing site.

So the designers built a cor-ten spiral staircase next to the existing block building.

Nice and rustic, the staircase maintains the building's character.

The staircase is connected to the tower by way of a glass-covered bridge.

The steel contrasts with the stone without dominating it.

Actually, stone and steel look as though they belong together.

The spiral shape also contrasts with the block tower, bringing into relief the ageless character of existing building materials.

The designers worked around the topography to minimize ground works.

Roof Plan

Elevation plan.