Colonial-era ruins’ planned redo pits modernists, purists

Santo Domingo.- The architect in charge of restructuringthe Ruinas de San Francisco on Thursday said every square inch of the Colonial-eramonastery’s stone or brick will be left as is.

Rafael Moneo interviewed on Zol Z-101Fsaid the project isn’tabout construction but rehabilitation instead. He said the project requires a CityCouncil permit, and approval by the Monuments Institute (Icomos).

A vanguard design by Spanish architects has also stirreddebate pitting those who prefer leaving the structure as is, with others who’dlike a total facelift.