Al agua patos

K37.lab (Carlos Iraburu Elizalde, Álvaro Oriol, José Rodríguez-Losada, Carlos Iraburu Bonafé)

Urban Climate Island – Finalist

Those of us from the north understand the concept of a climatic island well, because our environment teaches us that nature itself is often the best resource for achieving an adequate level of comfort. The lush vegetation in these lands extends almost to the point of merging with the surrounding waters, forming those in-between spaces we call coastline, which seem to struggle not to disappear. This boundary between water and land is what makes the interaction between both realities possible.

Taking this natural organisation as a reference, an intervention structured in three elements is proposed: two main layers and the boundary that connects them. The intervention is limited to a hexagonal plot, but aims to extend and reactivate the entire perimeter nearby. In this way, the existing pond is used and enhanced as the main core of this climatic island.

In the centre of the plot, there is a large garden made up of fast-growing, low-maintenance vegetation adapted to the climate of Logroño. This vegetation, resistant to high summer temperatures and possible water shortages, combines low plants with some tall trees that allow a glimpse of the landscape through the garden. This green space, 15 metres in diameter, acts as the ecological lung of the intervention.

The boundary between the pond and the garden becomes the living space, the organising axis of the proposal. This route, protected by the green lung and oriented towards the pond, gives meaning to the intervention. In order to inhabit and protect this space, a pergola is planned whose function is similar to that of an umbrella on the beach. With a circular geometry that contrasts with the geometrically dominated surroundings, this structure uses a modular system of cables and metal profiles that minimise its impact on the terrain. Its stability is achieved thanks to 12 main masts that support the pergola.

The space generated at this boundary seeks to revitalise the pond and invite the user to dive into it. Or as it is colloquially said: ‘Into the water, ducks! This saying, which alludes to the ducklings’ first dip, symbolises the importance of children leading the reactivation of this space designed to be used, but which still needs life.

It is a walkable pond with an advanced technical solution for water treatment and conservation, as well as an automated system that regulates the water level and activates different games and interactive jets.

Thus, the proposal creates a climatic island that, little by little, will spread to the rest of the pond’s surroundings. It is an intervention that not only respects the characteristics of the place, but also builds on them and enhances them with the aim of reactivating and giving new life to this unique space.