TATIANA SOUTHEY-BASSOLS

The building responds to the architecture of debate through the materiality of a sand structure. The constituent sand had been illegally acquired from Spanish territory and brought to Gibraltar, and is not only appropriated for the building itself, but also a means of signifying the possible cooperation of the two sovereign territories. Combined with translucent red and yellow resin, colours heighten the emotional impact the building has on its users and represent the Spanish. 

The design explores spaces of debate through ceremonial routes and impressions of translucency in the structure, to mediate between the trust associated with civic engagement and the security related to diplomatic discussion. This is explored through the current dispute between Britain and Spain in regard to Gibraltar’s Sovereignty, especially as the people of Gibraltar have been exempt from these discussions.