Car park with a privileged location by Juan M. Otxotorena
26/05/2023.
[Benidorm] Spain
Metalocus, ELENA DE LA FUENTE
Metalocus, ELENA DE LA FUENTE
Juan M. Otxotorena was commissioned to design a car park a few meters from the Poniente beach in the city of Benidorm, a typical summer resort town on the Mediterranean coast, in Spain. This new facility plays a strategic role due to its location thanks to the urban forecasts of the surrounding environment.
The city has a floating population that varies throughout the year, increasing notably in the summer periods. The massive arrival at times, demands the need to carry out this type of installation to give an adequate response above the car parks that all the buildings have.
The project acquires a cylinder shape at one of its ends that responds to the vertical communication ramp that is finished off with a viewpoint for pedestrian access. The building helps to alleviate the high demand for parking in the city and more than 300 spaces are projected to be available for cars and motorcycles.
The city has a floating population that varies throughout the year, increasing notably in the summer periods. The massive arrival at times, demands the need to carry out this type of installation to give an adequate response above the car parks that all the buildings have.
The project acquires a cylinder shape at one of its ends that responds to the vertical communication ramp that is finished off with a viewpoint for pedestrian access. The building helps to alleviate the high demand for parking in the city and more than 300 spaces are projected to be available for cars and motorcycles.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
First floor plan. Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena.
Second floor plan. Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena.
Third floor plan. Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena.
Fourth floor plan. Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena.
Sections. Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena.
Elevations. Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena.
The main material of the construction is exposed concrete, except the façade, Juan M. Otxotorena opts for folded gold aluminium deployé sheet for the exterior. The façade creates a great contrast with the buildings that surround it thanks to its shape and colour.
Parking on the west beach of Benidorm by Juan M. Otxotorena. Photograph by Pedro Pegenaute.
The car park is organized in seven levels connected to each other by a spiral ramp. From the outside, a cylindrical shape is perceived that encompasses a large number of car parks in a privileged location, with part of its volume integrated into the steep slope of the hillside on which it rests.
Project description by Juan M. Otxotorena
The building has a privileged location on the second row of buildings facing the Poniente Beach in Benidorm. It opens up to the views of the promenade and plays a strategic role in relation to ambitious urban development plans for the following sloping building area.
It consists of seven levels under a roof, connected by a spiral ramp whose volume is perceived from the outside as a large cylinder. Its architecture is solved with an exposed concrete finish, except for the façade, which is covered by a folded sheet metal cladding made of golden aluminum deployé, whose sophistication is affirmed by the contrast. The volume is buried on its west side and becomes more aerial as it rises.
The cylinder containing the ramp is topped with a viewing point accessible to pedestrians, which extends the ascent of the spiral. A pergola leads to nearby urban elevators for easy beach access. The rest of the roof is used for parking and connects to the same level with a surface allowing 200 additional parking spaces.
More information
Architects
Project team
Gloria Herrera, Saioa Lafón, Miriam Doménech, Cristina Iriguibel.
Collaborators
Quantity Surveyor.- Isabelino Río, José Javier Segura.
Structural engineering.- FRIngeniería y Arquitectura, S.L.P.
Facilities engineering.- David Berenguer.
Structural engineering.- FRIngeniería y Arquitectura, S.L.P.
Facilities engineering.- David Berenguer.
Builder
TM.
Area
7.256,75 m².
Dates
July 2022.
Photography
Juan Miguel Otxotorena Elizegi
Juan Miguel Otxotorena Elizegi. Born in 1959 in San Sebastian, he has lived in Pamplona since 1976, which was when he went to the city to start his university studies. He graduated as an architect at the Navarre University in 1983. He was distinguished with an Extraordinary Award for his Doctorate in1987. In 1990 he was appointed amongst many candidates the professorship of the Architectural Form Analysis Chair at Valladolid University, where he taught until 1994. For 15 years –from that time until up to September 2009– he was the Director of the Pamplona School of Architecture at the University of Navarre. He is still practices as a Professor and Director of the Projects Department.
His experience in the free exercise of the profession started in 1989. In 1998 he founded the current Otxotorena Arquitectos firm in which architects, surveyors and engineers collaborate, and with which he had obtained successive recognition on constructed buildings, amongst which we can highlight the second European Prize for Architecture of Sports Facilities (1999), and a whole series of open project competitions first prizes —on his own or associated with other architects—, such as those referred to the sports centres in Estella and Olazagutía, the new Headquarters of the Parliament in Navarra, The Palace of Congresses and Auditorium of Pamplona, the reconditioning of the León Cathedral cloisters, the new building for the Valle de Egüés Town Hall, the Aquavox Hydrothermal Center (Pamplona), the Tudela Courts, etc.
His experience in the free exercise of the profession started in 1989. In 1998 he founded the current Otxotorena Arquitectos firm in which architects, surveyors and engineers collaborate, and with which he had obtained successive recognition on constructed buildings, amongst which we can highlight the second European Prize for Architecture of Sports Facilities (1999), and a whole series of open project competitions first prizes —on his own or associated with other architects—, such as those referred to the sports centres in Estella and Olazagutía, the new Headquarters of the Parliament in Navarra, The Palace of Congresses and Auditorium of Pamplona, the reconditioning of the León Cathedral cloisters, the new building for the Valle de Egüés Town Hall, the Aquavox Hydrothermal Center (Pamplona), the Tudela Courts, etc.
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