Concéntrico, in its aim to initiate new formats that respond to urban transformations, presents a call for proposals with Logroño City Council and LIF 2002, Logroño Integración del Ferrocarril, within the framework of the strategic plan to deal with heat waves in the city of Logroño. The aim of this call is to create a permanent urban climate island, which will be located around the lake in the Felipe VI Park on the terracing that forms a hexagonal square..

The jury met at the headquarters of the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de La Rioja on 2 December 2024 in order to decide on the call and determine the 4 finalists.

The call received 252 proposals from 49 countries, the jury was formed by: Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, BEAR (Ane Arce + Iñigo Berasategui), Rafael Álvarez and Pilar Arce, MCruz Gutiérrez, Javier Peña, Ángel Carrero and Irene F. Garijo, has determined the four finalist projects:

600 TREES by Carlos Portillo, Canada.

The project aims to transform 180 square metres of urban space into a self-sustaining micro-forest. The proposal includes a raised ring with lighting and recycled rocks, creating an accessible and environmentally friendly space for visitors. This innovative proposal will promote carbon sequestration, urban cooling and biodiversity, providing shade and shelter for birds and insects. As the forest grows, trees will gradually cover the ring, symbolising the integration of nature into the urban space.

A Stone at the Waters Edge by clovisbaronian (Georgina Baronian, Sam Clovis). United States.

The proposal uses the architecture as a thermal battery, taking advantage of the material’s properties without mechanical systems to cool the environment. A ventilated void between two layers of concrete reduces embodied carbon and allows passive cooling through a night ventilation system. Recycled concrete and the use of site soil as a mould ensure durability, reduce waste and create a unique structure that integrates into the waterscape.

Al agua patos by K37.lab (Carlos Iraburu Elizalde, Álvaro Oriol, José Rodríguez-Losada, Carlos Iraburu Bonafé), Spain.

The aim of the project is to create a climatic island that revitalises a unique space and encourages interaction with the natural environment. It will be structured in three elements: two main layers and a boundary connecting them, forming a central garden with vegetation adapted to the climate. A modular pergola will provide shade and, together with an interactive and accessible pond, the aim is to reactivate and breathe new life into this space, inviting the community to enjoy it.

Air Column by m²ft architects(Flavio Martella, Maria Vittoria Tesei) + s—nstudio (Adrián Haibara) + Vanessa Mingozzi, Spain.

The functioning of the project is based on the principle of the ‘solar chimney’, a natural system that uses solar energy to trigger convective movements. Inside the semi-transparent column, the sun’s rays heat the air and cause it to rise. This movement creates a depression at the base that draws in fresh air, generating a constant natural breeze.