Origin

Every big facility needs a running-in period for fitting to the day-a-day life of the entities that develop them.

From the opening of the Marina, several requirements have been coming out. Some of them functional, some others representative; these requirements have been solved with the creation of several infrastructures.

The main bui...

Origin

Every big facility needs a running-in period for fitting to the day-a-day life of the entities that develop them.

From the opening of the Marina, several requirements have been coming out. Some of them functional, some others representative; these requirements have been solved with the creation of several infrastructures.

The main building was probably the most deficient facility of all, so it has been modified in a global, powerful way that enhances all the shortcomings of the original building.

This refurbishment attempts to reach the following targets:

-          The creation of a double entrance for the restaurant, independent for members and for the public, so access control is easier and public is welcome simultaneously.

-          Providing accessibility to every space of the building with the implementation of ramps, stairs and lifts; indoors and outdoors.

-          The construction of a public space, generously sized and with a representative character, for fostering relations between members.

-          The extension of the restaurant and its kitchen. The lounge expands towards the sea avoiding the sight of the passing vehicles.

-          Reorganization of the numerous installations of the offices and the kitchen on the roof.

-          Updating of the offices, public attention area, archives and seminar rooms, all included in a functional cluster.

-          Providing the building with a contemporary image: a landmark, appropriate to the central position it has respecting to the seafront, the square, the promenade…like an institutional icon.

Chassis + bodywork

Starting from the structure of the original building, we have wrapped it with different skins, pierced with openings when needed, finding paths for new installations, pipes, etc…

Thus, the original building merges partially, virtually untreated, showing its scars. Each one of the new enclosures has its own geometrical and constructive laws. The only thing in common is the capability of being dismantle: the dry construction.

As a result of the application of this constructive system, we have created, without minding it, an object that evokes marine iconographies: a grounded building, a ship under construction…

From the inside as well as from the outside, the building seems to be unfinished, in progress…moreover the curved timber structure (with different woods, sections and treatment) and the usage of a variety of metal coverings (zinc, aluminium, steel in different finishes, etc) deconstruct the image of the building as a unique, complete, definitive structure, in the scenario of the comings and goings of a harbor.

A variety of materials (closed and opaque, opened or translucent) are intended to put an accent on the Mediterranean light. The building puts together a range of light hues that depend on the kind of skin that enclosures the space.

The timber structure takes curved geometries in order to give continuity to the façades and roofs: a double scale game which magnifies the size of the building. The variable sections help with the bracing of the new structure in a light, fluent way, all around the original building.

A zinc cover fits the cylindrical geometry of the façade and roof, providing water tightness and solving the joints with the framework by means of a folded gasket system.

The windows are specialized responding to the diversity of situations: aluminium swing windows to the west, glass walls alternating with sliding panels, transparent and translucent, to the east; folding doors in the restaurant enphasizing the idea of a porch /terrace and rounded windows in the offices and seminar rooms pierced in the original wall.

The expanded metal crooked volume of the lift nucleus is halfway between a nautical lamp and the finger of an airport and it’s able to filter natural and artificial light homogeneously.

Copper naphthenate treated pine planks in different sizes give continuity between floors, façades and the roof: we check this in the terrace and lattice of the restaurant or in the curved floor of the lounge that becomes the wall and the ceiling in the west part.

The family of components is completed with compacted cellulose panels, cellular polycarbonate, translucent glass, OSB board and gresite tiling in light blue.

Equipped spaces

Spaces are generated differently in response to the diverse functions put together in the building. Each space is specialized by using different materials or choosing locations, measuring the elements…

The restaurant is elevated with respect to the road outside, looking for a long sight over the cars. There are two different accesses: one from the esplanade for the public and another from the Club for the members. The space is continuous, illuminated lightly and evenly from the polycarbonate ceiling (that hides the lamps), and from the glass folding wall that can be completely opened when thermal conditions allow it. Finally, the kitchen and bar have been renewed and a set of toilets, independent from the Club’s ones, have been implemented.

The offices are re-distributed in the old part of the building which accessibility is improved by a new communications body. This nucleus is compound by a central lift and some ramps and stairs around it, which stand out the façade and create a reception area outside. The main access is situated between this piece and the restaurant. The skin of the staircase, made of polycarbonate sheets and expanded metal, provides new facilities: during the day, and from the public areas it is a opaque body that bocks the undesirable sigh of the parking while inside it is naturally illuminated. During the night it looks like a lamp that illuminates the access to welcome us to the Yatch Club.

The members’ lounge and its extension in a large terrace are both situated in the best place of the building. A large window is opened towards east, to the best views of the marina and the Mar Menor, while the zinc façade protect us from the west and the esplanade. The timber structure provides extra-height while a soft wood on the floor gives comfort (even barefoot) in the terrace, and a tough slate floor handle with celebrations and parties indoors.

A new external stair provides the access for members to the upper level from the marina, without passing through the offices.

Surroundings

The parking area will be organized by painting the International Code Flags on each park spot. It gives an amusing image to the place and facilitates car maneuvers.

Outside the Club, the esplanade will be modified around the building for improving accesses and creating a plant-line area beside it.

In the future, the refurbishment of these spaces around and the new sings for the Club and the restaurant, will complete the external image of the new Yatch Club of Lo Pagán.