Verónica Quintanilla always had a knack for "listening to buildings." Her new position as conservation architect at Burgos Cathedral allows her to visit her hometown once a week. She devotes Tuesdays exclusively to the building, and the rest of the week she divides her time between Joaquín Torres y Verónica Quintanilla, a studio specializing in heritage restoration.

Last week, Veronica participated in a career session at the School of Architecture share with students employment opportunities to programs of study . 

What does it mean to be a restoration architect?

Burgos Cathedral has been undergoing restoration work for 30 years, so the work more preventive. My job (as a conservator) is to take care of a monumental building, preserve it for future generations, and detect any problems at an early stage before they become major issues. In other words, to anticipate, listen, and treat it like a friend in its weakness and with its scars.

What is your daily routine like?

Every Tuesday at 8 a.m., I walk around every corner of the Cathedral with the maintenance man, reviewing the things that have happened in the building throughout the week. Every day is exciting because it is a building that is alive. It currently houses the exhibition : Biblical Roots" with works by Picasso, and we recently received the doors by the artist Antonio López.

How does that make you feel?

As I climb the stairs to the office every Tuesday, I hope I never forget this feeling.

The keys to being a good restaurateur

The main virtue is silence (contrary to society). The monument always speaks to us, like a constructed document; it speaks to you if you know how to listen to it with inner silence. Affection is also essential; if you don't love it, you can't take care of it.

A committee students

Dream big and go for it.

Photos courtesy ofhttps://catedraldeburgos.es/