RETHINKING THE FACTORY SPACE: Reconversion of the former Textile Factory N. Sr.ª da Penha
Textile Factory Nossa Senhora da Penha;Indutrial heritage;Restoration and conservation
The old Fabric Factory Nossa Senhora da Penha is one of the first fabric factories in the region of the Peninsula de Itapagipe, built in the second half of the nineteenth century, at a time when several other factories would also be built there, conforming the big industrial pole of Salvador city. Besides its historical load, the factory set has quite unique architectural features, since its implementation ahead of its time to the verticalized typology of the main building. Despite its relevance, the old Penha Factory reaches the present day without due recognition and respect. Its operation took about 60 years, passing through periods of neglect and improper use, which resulted in a great decharacterization of the emsemble, including the loss of buildings and irresponsible additions. The present work presents a proposal for the conversion of a factory remnant to a new use, adapting the preexisting structures to current needs and normative requirements and solving the problems accumulated over the years, both pathological and architectural reading.