Undergrounding

Sagrera is attempting to create a new urban identity. The Camp del Ferro is supposed to help with this.

Given the large volume required by the func­tional brief (three sports courts) in rela­tion to the limited dimen­sions of the site and the high urban density of the area, it was decided to semi-under­ground much of the sports complex. The meti­cu­lous design in section of the buil­ding ensures good lighting, natural venti­la­tion, ease of access and safe evacua­tion even of the lower areas.

The decision to parti­ally under­ground the volume not only reduces its visual impact, it also gene­rates an open urban space that is ceded to the city. This space acts as a public foyer to accom­mo­date occa­sional large influxes of visi­tors and users, with entrance via this concourse or plaza that is also the urban finis­hing touch to the widened street.

The different layouts of the brick façades bring different light into the interior — and give the building volume and texture.

The cons­truc­tion system is based largely on brick, deli­bera­tely revi­si­ting the old facto­ries, warehouses and work­shops that are so nume­rous in the area. The cons­truc­tion and mate­ria­lity of the buil­ding consti­tute its formal expres­sion, its finish, with no added elements. The brick thereby has a high profile.

The low main­ten­ance bare brick façades alter­nate empty and full, opaque, trans­lu­cent and trans­pa­rent parts, and masonry units of diffe­rent formats and colours with the aim of ligh­tening the whole, giving the built volume a texture, a grain, a vibrant pixel­a­tion, while also adap­ting to the diffe­rent orien­ta­tions.

We see brick lattice walls on exposed façades protect the courts from direct sunlight and possible glare, and, conver­sely, large glazed expanses in the lower part of the north-facing façade, opening up to the entrance concourse.

Two of the pitches are located in the basement, with the ancillary rooms and installations in between. The third sports hall occupies the upper floor.

The above ground volume of the buil­ding is finished off by a roof of gently curving, inverted vaults that is inte­grated into the context, somehow suggesting the order and presence of the roofs of neigh­bou­ring warehouses. This curved-line finish helps to lighten the volume of the complex and consti­tutes part of ist formal expres­sion.

Inside, the layout of the brief is very clear. We see not just the super­po­si­tion of the sports courts on diffe­rent levels but also the arran­ge­ment of a central volume contai­ning all the smaller scale elements (chan­ging rooms, storage and services), commu­ni­ca­tions (vertical and hori­zontal) and instal­la­tions. This is a compact volume that sepa­rates the large-scale elements.

There are some good reasons that led to the LEED Gold certification of Camp del Ferro.

Further intrinsic, deli­be­rate conse­quences of semi-under­groun­ding much of the complex are the direct gains obtained thanks to the increase of the complex’s thermal inertia by redu­cing its exposed surfaces.

The building’s energy effi­ci­ency begins with the volu­metric approach of the design. Subse­quently, a whole series of measures on a diffe­rent scale (solar protec­tion, cross venti­la­tion, natural lighting and the use of rene­wable ener­gies) reduces the energy needed for it to func­tion, earning the centre LEED Gold certi­fi­ca­tion.

Camp del Ferro offers all this: urban deve­lo­p­ment, great design inde­pen­dence and quality, the best energy balances — and three great sports halls.