"The Brave man carves out his fortune, and everyman is the son of his own works" (Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, 1605)
The project consisted in the rehabilitation of an existing construction, which has already functioned as a riding space and indoor sports area, in a series of eight pavilions, seven of a stereotomic nature and one of a tectonic nature, totaling 6600 m2. It was an exercise in construction economy, understood as a limit: 250 euros / m2.
It was found that there was no direct passage between volumes and functions and it was necessary to go outside to access each of the spaces. There were health problems arising from the functional promiscuity and the high state of degradation of the building.
The design strategy was to try to take advantage of the logic of addition and subtraction of volumes that characterizes stereotomic architecture. At first, it was decided to demolish the 4th, understood as a module, which allowed to separate the functions into two distinct wings, with healthier and greater possibility of outdoor circulation: the equestrian wing and the collective sports wing. The eigh pavillion at the south end was also demolished.
The Equestrian Wing kept the original arena and the remaining modules were functionally reorganized, after interior demolition, which allowed the interior access between pavilions in a functional logical sequence: 1. Arena; 2. Infirmary / Warehouse; 3rd Stables. From the stables, which access to the outer space separating the two wings, a covered space is used for horsewashing. This separation between different sports wings is made through a concrete arch, which guaranteed the continuity of the elevation, while enhancing the passage.
The Wing of Collective Sports now has a loggia, covered with cobogos, which allowed the functional connection between spaces of the same family: Three gyms, weight rooms, storage, changing rooms, and office area. The roof of the loggia allows it to function as a viewpoint and bench, on the future landscape: the athletic field.
Architecture was reduced to the expression of Structure, emphasizing the structural solutions adopted in each module, in a logic of wide spaces, with distinct characters, but united in the choice of materials. We tried to place the construction in Order in an exercise of rigor and pragmatism, exploring as beauty tools: the scale; the rhythm of the elements (openings, trusses, cobogos, structure, walls, cladding, etc.); the light/shadow contrast; color as a compositional element and defining level lines; the frames; the undulating shapes of the roofs; and the architectural archetypes: Arch; Loggia; and Portico.
Material Used:
1. Perfitec
2. Gracifer
3. Sanitana
4. Pulastic Sports floors
5. Equiapara
6. Sosoares
7. Topeca
8. Sika
9. Robbialac
10. Secil
