Manuel Tolsá. El Taller del Apartado.

Manuel Tolsá. El Taller del Apartado.

Importance of Manuel Tolsá's Industrial Construction

Overview of the Work

  • The construction discussed is a significant yet lesser-known chapter in Manuel Tolsá's oeuvre, marking his first foray into industrial architecture, contrasting with his previous works focused on religious and ornamental public structures.
  • Prior to this project, Tolsá had only constructed smaller industrial elements like furnaces; this work represents a substantial advancement in scale and complexity.

Design Features

  • Key design elements include ventilation and lighting, crucial for worker safety due to the hazardous smoke produced during gold and silver separation processes.
  • The original design featured iron posts and semi-circular arches that are still visible today, although many parts have been modified over time.

Architectural Solutions

  • The building was designed to ensure adequate ventilation and illumination for workers engaged in challenging tasks, featuring high ceilings reminiscent of tobacco factories.
  • A chimney made from sheet metal was incorporated to expel vapors from various furnaces within the structure.

Innovative Elements

Video description

En 1778 La Casa de Moneda, acuñadora del dinero español, compró el establecimiento del Real Apartado de Oro y Plata a la familia Fagoga y Arozqueta. Este lugar necesitaba una remodelación urgente, pues el humo de las máquinas le impedía a los trabajadores respirar. El proyecto quedó en manos de Tolsá, quien añadió chimeneas en las bóvedas y dos cimborrios en la nave central que mejoraron la iluminación, además de una capilla. Con este trabajo, Manuel Tolsá, se estrenó como arquitecto industrial.