03 - Thinking Outside the Bullring: Re-imagining Spain’s Socio-cultural Arenas on a Challenging Modern Stage

University of Cambridge

Dissertation and Research Thesis

January - April 2023

Bullfighting, a long-established Spanish tradition, gave rise to the urban typology of bullrings, which for centuries have served as lively hubs for community activities and social exchanges. UNESCO’s refusal to classify bullfighting as “cultural heritage in urgent need of protection” in 2020 reflects changing global perspectives on the tradition. Preserving Spain’s 1700 bullrings is essential, not as bullfighting arenas, but as centres of community engagement. With the pandemic accelerating their abandonment, a coherent strategy for adaptive reuse is imperative.

So far, bullrings have received limited attention in architectural discourse, with existing studies primarily focused on aesthetics and historical aspects, neglecting their sociocultural significance. The dissertation aimed to rectify this by examining the overlooked ‘ordinary’ rural bullrings, drawing on theories from both conservation and the social sciences, to propose a broader framework for understanding the societal role of bullrings and inform their future adaptive reuse. While examples such as the conversion of ‘Las Arenas’ into a shopping centre offer insights into adaptive reuse, questions persist about whether such conversions adequately preserve the bullrings’ previous communal significance.

The methodology involved a comprehensive review and analysis of existing literature, identifying three - primary categories: National identity and culture; National Architectural style and aesthetic value; and architectural form. Alongside this, a qualitative research approach combined a survey and several site visits. A survey was conducted with 176 participants representing nine different autonomous communities in Spain, as well as individuals outside of Spain. This sample ensured a broad spectrum of opinions and values, reflecting the importance of public participation in heritage preservation decision-making processes and providing those most affected by the future use of bullrings with a voice in the matter.

“This dissertation begins to fill a lacuna in architectural-urban scholarship on the Spanish bullring, and advances a strong argument for the unique building type’s adaptive reuse in both urban and rural settings, in the wake of the decline of bullfighting as a spectacle, sport, and lived tradition. It delightfully fulfils its self-proclaimed ambition to enrich the limited English-language corpus of architectural bullring scholarship.”

(Examiners Comment)

Examination Result: 70

1. Meaning and Social Significance

Chapter 1 delves into the multifaceted meaning of bullrings, highlighting the importance of public perception and societal values in the context of heritage preservation and adaptive reuse projects. It explores the shared cultural values held by bullrings and how they contribute to the collective memory of communities. While historical typologies such as churches have been extensively examined in this light, bullrings have remained relatively unexplored, leading to many misinterpretations of their significance.

The contextual differences between urban and rural bullrings are evident, with the latter having a more pronounced social significance. Hence, the shift in 20th-century architectural theory from a focus on monumentality, to an interest in the broader built environment is key to providing a theoretical framework for assessing their sociocultural value. Scholarly perspectives on “sociality” within public spaces provide a lens through which we can begin to understand how bullrings contribute to the public sphere. Despite the ethical debates surrounding bullfighting, historical evidence and survey responses highlight the bullring’s role as a venue for communal gatherings and social activities.

A significant proportion of survey respondents viewed the bullring’s function as a public space as the main driver for its preservation. The importance of these spaces in fostering social interactions among different generations is further emphasised by the formation of social groups known as “peñas”, which are tied to bullrings. These social dynamics are depicted in paintings by artists like Jiménez Aranda and Van Gogh, who highlight conversations and interactions amongst the crowd. The survey confirms that the atmosphere and social interaction often outweigh the spectacle itself, with responses reflecting a range of motives and values associated with these spaces. Considering the principles of successful public spaces, there’s a need to identify the current social relationships within bullrings to facilitate adaptive reuse projects that align with contemporary needs and values.

The survey revealed diverse memories associated with bullrings. Importantly, even those in favour of abolishing bullfighting still held positive memories associated with these spaces. The variety within survey responses underscores the complexity of public perception and the evolving nature of the meaning attributed to bullrings.

Survey results: How is the experience of bullring festivities in the city different from that of a rural location?

Architectural heritage

Important public space

Sustainability

2. Typological Evolution

The evolution of bullrings has both influenced and been influenced by the changing values and needs of society. Their origin in town squares, known as plazas mayores, demonstrates how these squares were directly influenced by the festivity of bullfighting, underlining the role of societal values in shaping architectural forms. This evolution can begin to shed light on the symbiotic relationship between architecture and culture.

with community-built structures. Hence, rural structures are rooted in a history of community engagement, local craftsmanship and social relationships.

Survey results: Considering that bullrings, either due to lack of public support or prohibition of bullfights, could end up in disuse, what do you think is the driving factor for preserving these structures?

The contrasting roles of urban and rural bullrings could be attributed to the social constructs of the medieval period. In the Middle Ages, bullfighting was a spectacle shared by different social classes. Urban bullrings emphasized social hierarchies and displays of wealth, while rural areas embraced community participation and different forms of bull-related games. Urban expansion, amongst other factors, prompted the construction of fixed bullrings in capitals and affluent cities, while rural areas continued-

The rural traditions’ influence on community-focused bullring forms, is juxtaposed with the urban bullrings’ more glamorous and spectator-oriented designs in a study of form shown above. A key distinction in form that highlights their contrasting roles is the urban bull ring’s use of the spaces underneath the stands for social gatherings. The distinction is also exemplified by the opulent façades of contemporary urban bullrings compared to their more modest rural counterparts.

These variations within the typology accentuate the importance of context-specific adaptive reuse strategies for bullrings. Hence, in the event of adaptive re-use each bullring should be approached individually, considering its unique history, social role, and architectural features.

Survey results: Most appropriate functionality in the event of adaptive re-use: Rural bullrings (three options selected)

Survey results: Most appropriate functionality in the event of adaptive re-use: Monumental city bullrings (three options selected)

3. Adaptive Re-use

The final chapter investigates how the values associated with these structures can guide adaptive reuse. Researching the historical context of heritage conservation in Spain revealed that the Venice charter marked a key shift in conservation approaches following the Spanish Civil War, shaping national legislations to this day. Hence, the thesis used this framework as a reference point, alongside more modern conservation principles, such as that of the Getty Institute, to examine the approach to conservation in the ‘Las Arenas’ project.

The motivations of the project arguably favoured economic impact over heritage value, undertaking an often-criticised facadism approach, gutting the interior and filling it with a shopping centre. The extent to which this new function mirrored its previous community role is debatable. But, it is important to acknowledge that the end of the bullfighting industry will leave a gap in the economy, meaning that adaptive reuse projects are an opportunity for urban regeneration and local economic benefits. The projects approach revealed- a tension between preserving tradition and adopting a useful function, highlighting the challenge of balancing the many components of a building in adaptive reuse. Rogers’ fusion of modern technology and architectural heritage results in an iconic, contemporary stamp, symbolizing a shift in societal values, and setting a precedent for the bullring typology.

I believe that the successful reuse of bullrings relies on collaborative decision-making processes, alongside a comprehensive evaluation. Involving stakeholders and locals to strike a balance between preserving heritage and introducing a new function ensures that the new use aligns with community needs and values. The diverse roles of urban and rural bullrings calls for a case-by-case analysis to determine the best approach for adaptive reuse projects. While no one-size-fits-all approach exists, a general framework is essential to informing future adaptive reuse projects and avoiding further abandonment.