The competition follows a growing trend in the northern region of Spain to cover open urban squares, driven by a social and urban aspiration to revitalize the local lifestyle, regardless of weather conditions. In line with this aspiration, the local government launched a competition to design a sheltered space in front of the Iortia Cultural Center, an iconic location in Altsasu with a consolidated programme of yearly activities.
The brief strictly called for a large canopy measuring 40x18 meters, intended to accommodate public events such as concerts, outdoor markets, and cultural festivals. The proposed design showcases an elegant and lightweight timber canopy supported by steel columns clad in brickwork arranged in an wide-span orthogonal grid, maximizing flexibility for various unpredictable activities.
Through a thorough analysis of the site and its surroundings, several urban issues affecting the quality of the surrounding space were identified.
These included the presence of garbage containers, parking spaces, and narrow sidewalks which are addressed through another complimentary level of micro-interventions beyond the design of the canopy.
Low maintenance solutions were considered from the earliest sketches, with a strategy focused on implementing cost-effective materials and techniques that could withstand the elements.
The roof consists of a grid of cross-laminated timber (CLT) beams and polycarbonate sheets, ensuring a long span covered area while maintaining maximum transparency. It has been conceived as a system of components to be manufactured in local workshops, facilitating quick assembly on-site and minimizing transportation, waste, and CO2 emissions. Supporting the roof are steel columns clad in brickwork, seamlessly integrating rainpipes and lighting, along with a concrete plinth that harmoniously merges the structure with the ground.
