Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Fuencisla

Gazing at the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Fuencisla, one might initially overlook its significance amidst the brick buildings of the Almedrales neighborhood. Designed by José María García de Paredes in 1961, the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Fuencisla is more than just a parish church. It represents a unique architectural vision, echoing influences from Spanish modernism and Islamic spatial design. Initially, the church and parish house were connected by a gallery. Now, a park separates these two structures, creating a tranquil space for contemplation. The church itself, a closed brick construction with stepped walls, blends seamlessly into the surrounding residential blocks. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the church is slightly sunken compared to street level, adding to its understated presence. The bell tower, now unused, sits atop the taller parish house, a silent reminder of the passage of time. Inside the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Fuencisla, a remarkable spatial composition unfolds. The structure is based on a repeating module of four metal pillars, each supporting a trunk-pyramidal prism topped by a skylight. These hollow pillars cleverly serve as rainwater drainage, a practical touch in Madrid’s climate. This 4.20 x 4.20 meter module creates an isotropic space, meaning there’s no clearly defined main axis. The interior feels open and flexible, adapting to the irregular shape of the building and its broken exterior walls. The overhead lighting eliminates the need for perimeter windows, leaving the facades blind except for the access doors. While the interior has seen modifications, such as the closure of an entrance and relocation of the baptistery, the original essence of the space remains. The climb to the choir still features the original flooring, a tangible link to the past. Even the choir area has been repurposed, enclosed in glass and now serving as a classroom and storage space. The modular structure’s potential for expansion is intriguing. One could imagine adding more modules to any side, effortlessly adapting to changing needs. A view of the roof reveals the modular skylights, unfortunately also showing signs of water damage. These skylights are not easily replaced, leading to some areas being temporarily covered. García de Paredes envisioned this design as a reinterpretation of the Mezquita de Córdoba (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba). The original courtyard, reminiscent of the Patio de los Naranjos in Córdoba, further strengthens this connection. The Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Fuencisla truly embodies the spirit of its time, emphasizing the interplay of construction and structure to define the architectural space, a hallmark of mid-20th-century Spanish architecture.