El portal como espacio colectivo, vínculo entre edificio y área pública. Cuenca como caso de estudio, Plaza Central y Las Herrerías

Abstract

The portals are very important space that has been present for a long time in local buildings and their surroundings, we have focused on analyzing this type of construction from the functional and architectural point of view, its spaces and its morphology.

In a first attempt to approach our main research topic, we inserted ourselves in a historical framework to clearly know the origin and evolution of the portal, the same one that has presented since its inception, variations in both its design and its usefulness.

When talking about the portal, we also talk about public space, which is why in this work a specific section has been assigned to deal with the issue, because collective spaces arise from the mechanisms of the housing groups.

The case study of this research work focuses on Cuenca city, which architecture has also undergone an important evolution and where history tells us its transformation.

Equally, during the investigation, the ordinances that determined the guidelines for the beginning of the construction of portals in Cuenca could be compiled, whose transcendental aspect was based on the location of portals around the square with materials from the region.

Finally, this paper presents case analysis of portals located around the central square of Cuenca and a portal located on Las Herrerias street in which vernacular architecture is appreciated.