|
|
|
| |
| |
|
PROJECTS - Interview with Moneo-Brock Studio |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
The ‘Trapeziodal‘ glass block was designed as the principal façade material for the "Tiberio's Baths" in Panticosa, in the Spanish Pyrenees of Huesca, close to the border with France.
The thermal palace will house thermal baths, saunas, treatment rooms, a café, a small gym, and various other spaces for spa functions.
When we began working on the façade for the Palacio Termal in Panticosa, we had established specific criteria for its performance and appearance based on the development of the building form, and it was our great luck to have the opportunity to work with Seves to realize a design that satisfied these criteria.
Set against the steep mountainside and down into the subsurface, the building volume is both compact, robust and block-like, with 8.500 square meters distributed across five floorsheights of 11 meters.
To mitigate the appearance of bulk, the volume incorporates a series of setbacks, creating a number of roof terraces in the horizontal plane; and in the vertical plane, a set of façade surfaces “bands” at each level. These bands and terraces were then gently bent into curvilinear forms to accommodate the needs of the space within, to connect the palace with the surrounding moutainside, and to create a sensuous architectural language.
The origins of the 'Trapezoidal' glass block by Seves are there, in the undulating bands that constitute the building's principal generator of form, and in our wish to give these bands softness and luminosity where they form façade surfaces. We found that the acid etched glass block could deliver just the material quality we sought, but we were looking for something more: the last important characteristic that we sought in the façade material was that of shedding water. Like the shingles or clapboards of Northern European or North American façade constructed in wood, we sought an overlapping form that would protect itself from the assault of the strong rains and snow that frequently soak the Panticosa site.
Taking some small inspiration from the Spanish architect, Miguel Fisac, who developed myriad components and modular units to compose façades and roofs that frequently treated natural light with delicacy and love, we set about drawing the Panticosa Block and seeking a producer for the design. Our first contacts with representatives from different sectors in the glass industry did not give us much hope. We were flatly told what we wanted to do could not be done; that the production demands of the block manufacturers would not allow them to invest the time and resources that the project demanded; and that any interruption in their production schedule would be intolerable.
Our luck changed when we began discussions with representatives from Seves. Instead of stumbling blocks and negativity we found positive support and optimism, and we were given all the technical support we needed to make the design a reality.
Our satisfaction at the result is total; the 'Trapezoidal' glass blocks are this day being laid to form the façade of "Tiberio's Baths", and their effect is just what we had hoped for.
We welcome all readers to come to Panticosa to see the results first hand!
Jeff Brock and Belén Moneo
MONEO-BROCK STUDIO
www.moneobrock.com
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
