SM234
A space that preserves history and turns it into presence.
In an institution with a long history, the entrance hall is the first contact with the Lodge's identity. More than a space of passage, the environment welcomes members and visitors while subtly revealing part of the history built over the years.
The project seeks to translate this identity into a sober and welcoming space, where architecture and memory meet. A deep red, associated with the institution's tradition, envelops the walls and ceiling and establishes the identity of the space. The tone creates a solemn atmosphere and gives the hall unity, guiding the visitor among different elements tied to the Lodge's history.
Right at the entrance, the Self Made Man, depicted in a painting more than 3.70 meters tall, conveys the idea of building and continuous improvement. The existing staircase was preserved, and the space under its steps received large storage drawers, incorporated discreetly and integrated into the whole.
Along the hall, redesigned display cases gather regalia, certificates and objects that are part of the Lodge's history. The aim was to integrate this collection into the architecture and give the pieces a more meaningful presence in the space, bringing history closer to the experience of those who walk through the room.
In the final stretch, an entire wall of moledo stone houses the gallery honoring those who have led the institution throughout its history. Beside it, the cast-iron staircase, brought from Spain decades ago, takes on a new leading role. The stone's light, irregular tone sets off its dark, lace-like design, valuing an existing element and its presence in the composition.
On the remaining walls, boiseries in the same shade of red create a continuous backdrop and guide the eye along the route. On the ceiling, the symbol of the square and compasses appears backlit in the lining, marking the composition and reinforcing the Lodge's identity.
Elements that were already part of the space were also incorporated into the new design. The armchairs received new olive-green linen upholstery and now form part of the seating areas under a new reading. The project preserves these pieces and places them coherently within the new composition.
Wood, moledo stone and metals form the basis of the hall's materiality and combine with a deep palette. Indirect lighting brings out textures and details throughout the space, while the vintage lamp adds a more intimate, delicate light to the seating areas.
The classic bankers lamp, present in libraries and study spaces since the early twentieth century, was chosen for the relationship between light, knowledge and tradition, values that resonate with the history of Freemasonry.
SM234 turns the entrance hall into a place of encounter and belonging, where the Lodge's history remains present in the architecture and in the experience of those who move through the space.
Gallery
