Tile vaults in the works of government institutions after the Spanish Civil War: A first approach

Abstract

This work which aims to document the use of tile vaults in the construction of new and rebuilt villages after the Spanish Civil War is based on two main documentary sources: the journal Reconstrucción, specifically devoted to the work of the Dirección General de Regiones Devastadas y Reparaciones, and the archives of the Instituto Nacional de Colonización. The entire journal collection and a total of 254 projects from the archives have been reviewed, verifying the use of this construction system in 14% of the projects. A sample of the most representative typologies of buildings constructed with tile vaults is presented. The geographical distribution and relations between different projects were analyzed. As a first approach, we conclude this was a commonly used construction system, though not one homogeneously distributed across the country. The construction details and the actual preservation of these buildings deserves further investigation through documentary and on-site research.