The site enjoys a privileged location on the top of a cliff at Cala Fustera, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. The plot is surrounded by pine trees and masonry retaining walls that follow the contours of the terrain. Notably, the site holds significant importance as a key landmark along the 'Ecological Walk,' a coastal walking trail that connects Benissa to Calp.
The competition brief called for the enhancement and expansion of the current building hosting public services such as a police station, general practitioner's office, tourist information center and interpretation center serving a population that reaches its peak during the summer months.
Drawing inspiration from the environment, the proposal acknowledges the dual character of the program and strategically separates the public premises, with direct access for both vehicles and pedestrians from the main road and the cultural premises, oriented towards the sea, adjacent to the walking trail.
Being a popular touristic destination, the proposal seeks to create a flexible layout to accommodate different needs through the seasons. The program is divided into three separate prisms for cultural functions and a larger rectangular prism, interconnected by a central spine allowing the public services to operate independently from the cultural areas during off-peak seasons. This spine is intersected by an open passage helping to activate the circulation between the sea side and road facade resulting in a permeable building in opposition to the existing one that creates a barrier effect.
These prisms are conceived as hollow concrete shells, highly flexible containers with a strict modular system striving to find an optimum dialogue with the surroundings. Sloping roofs and large openings are thoughtfully introduced to foster a visual connection with the surrounding landscape whilst mitigating solar heat gains. The design language prioritizes restraint and simplicity, allowing the volumes to seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings.
