Swimming Center In Barbate, The design of the sports pavilion aims to achieve an appropriate relationship with the residential environment and landscape of the surrounding area.
Courtesy of EDDEA
Its location on the outskirts of Barbate, set in a natural area far from the town center was the reason for extending the program on the site. The building looks for a proper relationship with the natural landscape and with visual points of interest. The only points of interest are the traditional salting warehouses and a part of the pine forest next to the site. Therefore, with the roof we have attempted to mimic these traditional warehouses and the courtyard with pines reminds us of the forested area next to the site.
Courtesy of EDDEA
The lack of connection between the access to the sports pavilion and the building itself is the reason for designing a new entry on the west area of the building. This area represents the void in the volume, which combined with the green space at the front leads the visitor to the main entrance. Thus, the openness and public identity of the construction is properly represented, beginning with the green space located in the main facade.
Courtesy of EDDEA
This wooded area that introduces the visitor to small dunes that change with the intensity of the winds, gives continuity to the interior void from which one enters, providing the appropriate identity and recognition of the public and open nature of the building.
Courtesy of EDDEA
Among the main contributions of this facility are those that try to advance on the qualification of this type of sports facility. Traditionally perceived as a dark space and with little relationship with its surrounding environment, in this project, the accesses, the private spaces, the use of natural light in the pool area, and their relationship with the outside are all functional, but at the same time aesthetic.
Courtesy of EDDEA
The West end houses the change rooms, control and fitness center, connected by a hall and an interior courtyard that filters and incorporates the sunlight. After this court and located on the east side of the building, the swimming pools are situated in a clear open space, illuminated by warm walls and beams painted in white that allow us to reduce the amount of lighting fixtures that would normally be required by the pool areas.
Project Info
Architects: EDDEA
Country: Barbate, Spain
Area: 2350 m²
Year: 2011
Photographs: Courtesy ofEDDEA
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.