Puertochico Plaza & Market by Garciagerman Arquitectos
10/01/2017.
[Santander - Cantabria] Spain
metalocus, CLAUDIA CENDOYA
metalocus, CLAUDIA CENDOYA
The Puertochico Plaza enjoys a privileged position in the city of Santander (Cantabria, Spain). Slightly elevated, with direct connection to the seawalk while set in the urban center of the city. This allows a high urban activity in the area, thanks to the passage of citizens and tourists.
The Puertochico Plaza enjoys a privileged position in the city of Santander (Cantabria, Spain). Slightly elevated, with direct connection to the seawalk while set in the urban center of the city. This allows a high urban activity in the area, thanks to the passage of citizens and tourists.
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Axonometric view of the surroundings. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
Axonometric view. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
Explanatory sketch. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
Explanatory sketch. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
General floor plan. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
West elevation. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
North elevation. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
Pavement detail. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
Perimeter detail. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
Children playground detail. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
Bench detail. Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos.
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
Puertochico Plaza & Market by GARCIAGERMAN Arquitectos. Photograph © Imagen Subliminal
The project of Garciagerman Arquitectos, with a post-modernist vision, is included in a larger renovation plan of the Puertochico Market, having the practice renewed the square that serves as both roof and access to the market. With an intervention marked by a few elements, the habitability of the space, once again accessible to the people, is achieved.
The added elements have been the pavement, the vegetation, and the urban furniture, arranged in such a way that they contribute to creating an own and clear identity to the space. The geometric pavement gives a certain volumetric quality to the square, nuanced by the colorful bands of vegetation. Long benches close the perimeter.
The added elements have been the pavement, the vegetation, and the urban furniture, arranged in such a way that they contribute to creating an own and clear identity to the space. The geometric pavement gives a certain volumetric quality to the square, nuanced by the colorful bands of vegetation. Long benches close the perimeter.
Description of the project by Garciagerman Arquitectos
The plaza, a former elevated leftover space on top of Puertochico Market, and until now segregated from city life, is reconnected to the neighborhood through the construction of a broad flight of steps that also act as an urban grandstand, facing the afternoon sun and the busy street life. This enables easy access and a renewed use of the elevated plaza, with a children’s playground, extensive flowerbed plantings, and long perimeter benches. The new intervention deliberately reduces the range of gestures and materials with an aim to introduce an abstract and homogeneous counterpoint to a discordant urban environment, resolving all perimeter benches and plantings with a single detail and the entire paving surface with a single floor piece. The new all-embracing carpet-like paving produces a certain volumetric, Op-Art effect, de-contextualizing the preexisting cultural center which sits in the middle of the plaza and appears to hover over this carpet, which itself floats over the street. The paving is made up of EcoGranic® prefab-colored concrete pieces which filter NOx and perform as active de-contaminants.
Plantings are laid with aromatic and Atlantic species and little maintenance is required. They are organized in parallel bands producing color fringes and a selective blockage of immediate views from within the plaza.
The project is the first phase of a global redevelopment of the existing market below, which will be updated and completed with outdoor restaurants, gastro-stands, and a new image in a strategic location, at the same time close to the city’s center, the seafront and the touristic enclaves.
More information
Jacobo GARCÍA GERMÁN
Jacobo García-Germán (1974) is an architect by the Madrid Polytechnic (ETSAM), M.Arch. by the Architectural Association, and PhD European Doctor (cum laude, ETSAM 2010). After collaborating with Rafael Moneo (1998-2001), he established GARCIAGERMAN ARQUITECTOS in 2003.
Since 2005 he is a teacher in the Madrid Polytechnic (ETSAM), currently teaching at the Thesis Group APFC with Professor Juan Herreros, besides co-directing the MPAA Máster y Doctorado en Proyectos Arquitectónicos Avanzados at ETSAM (2015-).
He has taught in different universities in Spain; ETSAM (2005-), Escuela de Arquitectura de Pamplona (2012), Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Madrid (2011-2014), Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid (2003-2004), UPC-La Salle Tarragona (2009), and worldwide; Liubliana Architecture Faculty (2010), Escola da Cidade Sao Paulo (2010), Universidad Javeriana Bogotá (2007-2009), and FeBelCem in Antwerp (2008), having also been visiting critic at Columbia University, NY (2012), Cornell University, NY (2012), Universidad Católica de Lima (2011), IE Instituto de Empresa, Segovia (2011), Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid (2011) Universidad Europea, Madrid (2006-2009) and Architectural Association, London (2005).
He is co-founder of the Symmetries platform for teaching and has directed workshops in Split, Rome and Lisbon. He has been curator for several exhibitions.
Among the awards obtained by GarciaGerman Architects are: XIV BEAU Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism Award (2018), Mies van der Rohe Finalist of the European Union Architecture Prize (2019), CEMEX Award (2018), Finalist FAD (2018) ), Outstanding Award (2017), Selection of the Enor Prize (2017), FAD Award (2013), Selection of the European Union Architecture Award Mies van der Rohe (2009), First European Prize (2001 and 2009), Awards of the Madrid City Council (2003 and 2007) and EMVS First Prize (2003 and 2004). The work of the office has been widely published and exhibited. Clients: Ministry of Development, Ministry of Finance and Public Administration, Embassies of Spain in Ljubljana, Sofia and Tokyo, Cervantes Institute, EMVS Madrid, UPM-Polytechnic University of Madrid, Government of Cantabria, Madrid City Council, Municipality of Nacka (Stockholm) , Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago), Acciona Inmobiliaria, Reyal Urbis, Eurocís, Isolux Corsán, Gilmar, Ciudalcampo SL. He has been a member of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Pavilion of the XV Biennial of Architecture of Venice 2016 (Golden Lion Award), and currently codirects Architecture, official magazine of the Board of Architects of Madrid (COAM).
Since 2005 he is a teacher in the Madrid Polytechnic (ETSAM), currently teaching at the Thesis Group APFC with Professor Juan Herreros, besides co-directing the MPAA Máster y Doctorado en Proyectos Arquitectónicos Avanzados at ETSAM (2015-).
He has taught in different universities in Spain; ETSAM (2005-), Escuela de Arquitectura de Pamplona (2012), Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Madrid (2011-2014), Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid (2003-2004), UPC-La Salle Tarragona (2009), and worldwide; Liubliana Architecture Faculty (2010), Escola da Cidade Sao Paulo (2010), Universidad Javeriana Bogotá (2007-2009), and FeBelCem in Antwerp (2008), having also been visiting critic at Columbia University, NY (2012), Cornell University, NY (2012), Universidad Católica de Lima (2011), IE Instituto de Empresa, Segovia (2011), Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid (2011) Universidad Europea, Madrid (2006-2009) and Architectural Association, London (2005).
He is co-founder of the Symmetries platform for teaching and has directed workshops in Split, Rome and Lisbon. He has been curator for several exhibitions.
Among the awards obtained by GarciaGerman Architects are: XIV BEAU Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism Award (2018), Mies van der Rohe Finalist of the European Union Architecture Prize (2019), CEMEX Award (2018), Finalist FAD (2018) ), Outstanding Award (2017), Selection of the Enor Prize (2017), FAD Award (2013), Selection of the European Union Architecture Award Mies van der Rohe (2009), First European Prize (2001 and 2009), Awards of the Madrid City Council (2003 and 2007) and EMVS First Prize (2003 and 2004). The work of the office has been widely published and exhibited. Clients: Ministry of Development, Ministry of Finance and Public Administration, Embassies of Spain in Ljubljana, Sofia and Tokyo, Cervantes Institute, EMVS Madrid, UPM-Polytechnic University of Madrid, Government of Cantabria, Madrid City Council, Municipality of Nacka (Stockholm) , Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago), Acciona Inmobiliaria, Reyal Urbis, Eurocís, Isolux Corsán, Gilmar, Ciudalcampo SL. He has been a member of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Pavilion of the XV Biennial of Architecture of Venice 2016 (Golden Lion Award), and currently codirects Architecture, official magazine of the Board of Architects of Madrid (COAM).
