AZPML folds public rooftop over sailing storage facility in santander

AZPML folds public rooftop over sailing storage facility in santander
photo by riancho & herrero
all images courtesy of AZPML

for the design of a sailing center storage facility jutting into the santander harbor, architecture office AZPML conceived a single canopy structure that serves as a publicly accessible terrain above while housing boats and gear below. the folded plane incorporates a sloped grassy hill, a long boardwalk at its top, and stadium seating facing out toward the water. channel glass lines the building’s northern face to enclose the lower level, while angled light posts reference a row of ship masts along the upper walkway.

the publicly accessible rooftop juts into the santander harbor, containing a grassy hill and long boardwalk
photo by riancho & herrero

the project, an addition to the ISAF world sailing facilities, unites public and private functions to serve the needs of the royal spanish sailing federation while offering new community space and increased engagement with the harbor. the architects describe that they were very much, ‘conscious of the privileged setting where the project is sited,’ and thus chose to use the structure as, ‘an opportunity to bring both city and citizens closer to the harbor through a design that integrates an elevated rooftop viewpoint.’

circulation is provided around the entirety of the folded canopy structure
photo by alberto de la cruz briceño

AZPML, led by architect alejandro zaera-polo and maider llaguno, initially gained the project commission based on their winning design proposal during a competition in 2010. the realized structure was opened in september 2014, on the occasion of the ISAF sailing world championships.

tall light posts mimic the masts of sailboats
photo by alberto de la cruz briceño

the storage facility’s northern wall is lined in channel glass
photo by alberto de la cruz briceño

photo by alberto de la cruz briceño

photo by guillermo fernandez-abascal

photo by riancho & herrero

stadium seating runs the length of the structure to provide seating with views of the harbor
photo by alberto de la cruz briceño

the canopy covers a long storage room for sailboats and gear
photo by riancho & herrero

photo by riancho & herrero

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project info:

location: santander, spain
client: RFEV (royal spanish sailing federation)
completion date: 2014
total area: 2,000 sqm
budget: €4.5 million

AZPML team
partners: alejandro zaera-polo, maider llaguno
architects: robert berenguer, ravi lopes-calamita, cristina castellvi, carles figueres, ramón subirá

contractor: ASCAN
construction management: riancho y herrero, FUORMA3, ana gutiérrez zurdo
engineering: OVE ARUP and partners
quantity surveyor: punto arquitectura
awards: architecture award COACAN 2014
photography: alberto de la cruz briceñ