beta.0 clads a riding arena in a latticed wood façade

in madrid, architecture studio beta.0 has renovated and revitalized a covered riding arena, enclosing the building in a dual layer of polycarbonate skin and wooden lattice. the project aims to highlight the values of the existing building, while reconciling the program’s relationship with its natural environment through formal design. the building was awarded the first prize for best refurbishment at the 2012/2014 veteco-asefave awards.

all images and video by imagen subliminal

approaching the project, beta.0 first removed the entire façade of the original building, eliminating a layer of asbestos dating back to 1963. the new façade is designed to subtly converse with its natural surroundings: lush vegetation and large deciduous trees. from the outside the enclosure mimics its wooded setting, its multifaceted envelope suggesting a dialogue of transparencies, reflections, light and shadow that is filtered and projected through its two skins.

beta.0 first removed the façade of the original building

a transparent polycarbonate skin is placed on an existing steel substructure, ensuring a tight weather seal and improving the overall heat retention of the building. cross ventilation of this layer enables necessary solar collection in the warmer months, and likewise allows solar energy to heat the building during the winter. the building’s second skin is composed of a framework of wooden strips — inspired by the trees of its perimeter — that support horizontally arranged wooden slats to form the exterior lattice.

cross ventilation enables solar collection in summer, allowing solar energy to heat the building during winter

the building’s sloping concave roof rises on either side to a point, and is supported from the interior by robust concrete buttresses. this concrete element serves to anchor the enclosure, and incorporates a stepped concrete viewing gallery. elsewhere, offices and preparation spaces are clad in a polished wood envelope that mirrors the building’s unique presentation and whose warmth compliments the concrete’s more reserved presence.

the building’s wooden façade is intended to mimic its natural surroundings

the building’s concrete element incorporates a generous viewing gallery

the riding arena is bracketed on all sides by a wooden apron

concrete buttresses support the building’s wood lattice exterior from within

peripheral rooms, such as this nursing office, are clad in a polished wood envelope

interior of the jury space

view of the exterior by night

bioclimatic optimization

construction process by layers

project info:

architect: fco. borja peña morientes
collaborators: ernesto sierra, xabier ortega, nagore urrutia del campo, virginia laínez, javier muñoz posse y julio gotor valcárcel
technical architect: josé carlos asensio y sandra rodriguez
project developer: club de campo villa de madrid s.a.
constructor: ferrovial-agromán s.a.
dates: october 2013 – march 2014
location: carretera de castilla km 2,4. madrid, spain

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: peter corboy | designboom

Save