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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Vallpala Sports Centre in Castellón, Spain by Vicente Salvador + Ignacio Vidal arquitectos

 
March 21st, 2013 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: Vicente Salvador + Ignacio Vidal arquitectos

The sports facility completes a public urban block where it stands currently theHonoriGarciaHigh School, the local council sports pavilion and the local council swimming pool building.  Given that the entirety of the block is publicly owned, the first thing to establish was the definition of the site to occupy.  With the aim of getting a well rationalised and arranged organisation of built elements and resulting in-between spaces, it was decided to establish the length of the existing sports pavilion as the width of the site, leaving at either side pedestrian streets to access the neighbouring facilities.

Image Courtesy © José Hevia 

  • Architects: Vicente Salvador + Ignacio Vidal arquitectos
  • Project: Vallpala Sports Centre
  • Location: La Vall d’Uixó, Castellón, Spain
  • Photography: José Hevia
  • Software used: 
    • AutoCAD 2011
    • Google SketchUp Pro
    • 3D Studio Max
    • MS Word 2011
    • Adobe Photoshop CS6
    • Adobe InDesign CS6
    • Adobe Acrobat Pro

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Once established the area of intervention, it was decided to allocate the building in the oblique corner of the site adjacent to the Agricultor Avenue, thus freeing the rest of the site, of rectangular proportions, for fitting the sports pitches, with more space demand.  On top of this, it was made possible to take advantage of the difference in height between the avenue and the site below, then placing the main entrance level with the street pavement.

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Following this criteria, the proposed massing – comprised of access ramp, changing facilities, administration and café – is located along the oblique boundary of the site, solving the change in levels but also creating the main elevation facing the sports pitches.  Only when the building approaches the acute corner of the site is when it moves apart allowing for the changing facilities to have double aspect orientation, ensuring natural light as well as ventilation.

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

In this way, a secluded courtyard appears isolated from the sports facilities behind as well as form the noise from the road above.  The covering of the courtyard is foreseen as the natural extension of the development.  A generous porch from where to enter the changing rooms gives access to this courtyard.

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

From the point of view of the relation of the building with the immediate external context, the massing described (fitted against the slope) allows for two main things. On the one side, the building is understood as an extension of the public domain, as the pavement invites the passer-by to come in and enjoy the views, as well as sitting in the bar terrace, without having fully entered the facilities yet.

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

On the other, the presence of the building towards Agricultor Avenueis minimised, making the visual permeability of the sports areas easier.  Both things, intentionally stress on the open and welcoming character of the sports centre as a place that encourages social interaction and a sense of community.  A wish of achieving the social sustainability of the intervention is here evident.

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

The café-bar, clad entirely of a variety of glass, is the only element that distinguishes itself from the rest of the building.  Technically simple solutions yet characterful and with strong impact solve the building.  An example of this is the intriguing cantilever.  It accomplishes successfully protection from the sun and rainfall.  Perched on top of the changing facilities in order to be seen like a lightweight temporary pavilion, the café-bar acts as a loud element with the aim of catching the attention of the passers-by.

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Image Courtesy © José Hevia

Image courtesy Vicente Salvador + Ignacio Vidal arquitectos

Image courtesy Vicente Salvador + Ignacio Vidal arquitectos

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Categories: 3dS Max, Autocad, InDesign, Photoshop, SketchUp, Sports Centre, Sports Hall




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