SolarCorona: Valencia's Transformative Cultural Center

Rising from the rubble of an abandoned house, SolarCorona is an incredibly active cultural center. It was born from an ideal rather than a business plan. It gathered the work of many, yet no one gained revenue from it. It is a visible example of collaboration, free participation and urban re-evaluation.

Javier Molinero, one of the minds behind the concept, shares his insight into SolarCorona.

What is SolarCorona and how is it divided?

“Summarizing briefly, SolarCorona is an abandoned space in the core of Valencia, which has been taken by some people and transformed into a shared place. Let’s say it is a public park, but not completely like it. Moreover, it is divided in two parts: the ruins and the upper part, where the latter comprehends a stage, a bar and some creative space for different activities.”

What do you mean when you say ‘not completely like a public park?’

“Because it is not completely public and not really a park. The area was clearly meant to be a house. The basement is still visible; you can even see the actual ruins there, which unfortunately do not hold patrimonial value but have undergone many archeological works. However, the construction of the house stopped due to the economic crisis; the owner could not afford to complete the building, so we managed to take it over and improve it.

“Legally speaking, the area has two different owners. One is the proprietor of the house’s rubble and the other is the City of Valencia. The owners granted people from SolarCorona complete freedom as long as the quietness and cleanness of the neighborhood is respected. However, for any reason they can claim their space back, consequently kicking SolarCorona out.”

SolarCorona was born four and a half years ago during a meeting of Arquitecturas Colectivas in Valencia.

Who is Arquitecturas Colectiva? Who had the idea of SolarCorona?

“Arquitecturas Colectivas (Collective Architecture) is a corporation of artists, architects and designers which aims to promote urban renovation through collective work. It is sort of an informal association, organized in a horizontal way; there are no bosses or CEOs. It was started by Santiago Cirugeda; an architect and activist who made many interventions around the world. Anyway, during the annual reunion of Arquitecturas Colectivas in Valencia; one of the proposals was to create SolarCorona. The corporation accepted it with great enthusiasm and the works started straight away.”

How and who constructed it?

“SolarCorona is the result of a big collaboration. The main effort has been done in the beginning – helped by Arquitecturas Colectivas. People came from all around Valencia and spent a lot of time and energy to clean up the area. Great part of what you see now has been done during those days. It was surely an interesting process to see because people came voluntarily and nobody earned anything from it. The University of Valencia and the Polytechnic University of Valencia also helped us considerably. It was a success.”

SolarCorona is run by 10 people more or less. There is no hierarchy, just cooperation; and nobody is forced to do anything. Notwithstanding this freedom, problems rise due the lack of structure:

So, ten people but nobody has the last word; how do you decide what to do?

“As I said, we are more or less 10, and each of us has his own idea; therefore, it is pretty complicated to make a common decision. Technically speaking, we do not vote; we have to reach a consensus. If there is even one of us who does not agree, we do not go forward with the plan. And yes, nobody has the last word.”

Does this lack of structured organization affect you negatively?

“Obviously, it does not make us incredibly solid as a group. We are quite fluid and certainly not consistent. However, even though this kind of organization sometimes affects us in a bad way, I think it’s good to be like this. Many and different opinions make our work richer than just a common one. Moreover, we enjoy what we do day by day, and having to reach complete consensus, we tend not to leave anybody upset or dissatisfied.”

What would you say are the good aspects of being organized like you are?

“I think flexibility. For example, I have been away for one month from SolarCorona, yet nobody got angry or disappointed with me. There is a lot of freedom. People have the space they need. We do not pretend to take this as an actual job; we just try to enjoy what we do. In any case – as long as it works, let’s go with it.”

Technically speaking there are two ways to organize an event: either people from SolarCorona propose an activity or an external brings an idea. The general policy is to promote something which will stimulate the neighborhood to join. On the agenda there are kids’ workshops, gardening classes, concerts, small markets and theatrical performances; however respect for the surroundings must come first.

Do you have specific rules?

“All the activities have to deal with two main restrictions: they have to respect the neighborhood, therefore, the cleanliness of the streets and so on, and they have to avoid making noise after a certain time. For example, when there’s a concert, we ask people not to bring drums after a certain time – we have to mind the clock. After lunch, we are not allowed to make any fuss; you know, siesta time is sacred here in Spain. Furthermore at night, we have to turn off the music around 10 p.m.”

Despite the precariousness of the organization, Molinero and his companions constantly think and suggest ideas for SolarCorona, always thriving to improve the area.

Do you have any kind of project in the near and long-term future?

“We have a common idea to improve SolarCorona. We want to build a covered space. Even though it does not rain a lot in Valencia, sometimes it does, and we do not have a place to shelter. We would love to build a rooftop for the bar. Moreover, we would like to open the place regularly. We already have a regular opening day, which is Wednesday around 5:30 p.m., although we open SolarCorona just for the kids. Therefore, we would like to arrange another day for different activities. However, right now it is still in the planning.”

As previously mentioned, SolarCorona was born on an idea: sharing. Sharing a space for art, music, and cultural events; sharing for kids or sharing just for the sake of it. It is an unusual oasis in the middle of Valencia. More than a park, SolarCorona is an example of collaboration and common values.