OC+C’s unique proposal for León Cathedral seeks to provide comprehensive protection to the historic carved medieval west portico doorways which have been subject to significant weathering and erosion over the centuries. The proposal consists of a modern armature that sits in front of the portico without touching the medieval building.

The intervention is contemporary in nature, its form and expression emerging incrementally from the historical proportions and character of the cathedral. The portico “motif” is reimagined, and expanded to protect the gothic portico in accordance with the “ad triangulum” proportions of the existing building – intervening as much as necessary and as little as possible.

The intervention does not touch the existing building – no stone is to be cut, removed or altered in any way. It is completely reversible, and no lateral forces are transferred to the cathedral. At ground floor level the intervention is stepped away from the portico, allowing views of the three doors in context and maintaining the historical experience for the viewer. The sectional nature of the intervention allows its foundations to span over archaeological remains below.