January 18, 2010 at 8:58 am

A Ring of Beauty

by twistedsifter

A recent winner of the Architectural Review’s Emerging Architecture Awards, the Sports Research Centre in Spain designed by Jose Maria Sanchez Garcia is a ring of beauty.

Situated on a thickly wooded peninsular in a reservoir of the Tagus river basin and in perfect harmony with its surroundings, the Sports Centre is also elevated in certain areas to account for any potential flood waters.

This facility provides research, training, recreation and business facilities for sports professionals in a tranquil, landscaped setting. The brief for the building included a reception and information centre, physiological laboratories and accommodation, together with a business centre and cafe.

Dimensions: The building is 7 meters wide (23 ft) and 200 meters (656 ft) in diameter. The total circumference is approximately 628 meters (2,060 ft)

The flat roof is fully accessible and becomes a giant treetop walk with stunning views of the reservoir and peninsular. Although the building may appear monumental, the curvature means it tails off into the woodland, becoming highly integrated and part of the landscape. The cost-effective stainless steel cladding panels reflect the vegetation as well.

Photograph by Roland Halbe

The building is a structure that only comes into contact with the terrain at points and so has the least possible impact on the existing landscape. The structure is also extremely cost-effective and is made principally of steel.

Photograph by Roland Halbe

Architect: Jose Maria Sanchez Garcia
Project Team: Enrique Garcia-Margallo Solo de Zaldivar, Rafael Fernandez Caparros, Maribel Torres Gomez, Laura Rojo Valdivielso, Francisco Sanchez Garcia, Jose Garcia Margallo, Marta Cabezon, Mafalda Ambrosio, Carmen Leticia Huerta
Location: Guijo de Granadilla, Caceres, Spain
Building type: Research centre

Photograph by Roland Halbe