Benidorm Seafront / OAB
Designed by Office of Architecture in Barcelona, this urban landscape snakes along the Benidorm seascape in Spain. The region is a popular attraction outfitted with high rise buildings, promenades, the bars, and the water. Yet, OAB’s addition to the thriving seaside has created an identifying element which sets this area apart from similar places.
More images and more about the landscape after the break.
The artifical landscape elegantly resolves the problem of the required width of a seaside promenade by having the form expand to larger areas with benches and places to relax. The design also includes a variety of access points to the sand.
In this way, the design serves different levels, as the upper level is fit for any city-goer to meander along the path, and the bottom curves pour into a wooded board walk for runners and beach-goers.
On the upper level, the colored promenade has a passive relationship with the Mediterranean, and the curves of the form provide a shaded perimeter for the lower path.
The design truly fits the location as the seaside is filled with people enjoying their holiday. Its upbeat color selection and dynamic form have made it a success for those from or visiting Benidorm.
Client: Generalitat Valenciana – Ajuntament De Benidorm
Architects : Carlos Ferrater – Xavier Martí Galí. OAB
Structures : Juan Calvo. Pondio
Contractor : Ecisa- Dragados
Project manager : Luca Cerullo
Pictures : Alejo Bagué
As seen on Abitare. Like this project? Check out other OAB projects featured on AD.
I have to see this in real life. Beautiful!
Simple and beautiful.
wow!
Seriously talking now… i don’t like it. it seems to claim more attention than the landscape, the beach itself, etc. It should be on the background.. an urban space that connects the city to the beach instead of appearing as a gateway to another dimension.
good point. I think i t fundamentally focuses on creating an interstitial realm, both connected to but separate from the beach and the city. In this manner of thinking, I believe it to be rather successful, as it gives a life and certain level of playfulness to the band of people waiting, jogging, watching, congregating, and even being indecisive (as to whether to beach it up or not). I totally see your point, as it stands as an approach problem. I was thinking of that argument when i saw this, so I decided to comment.
guys, you have to live Barcellona then comment.
This promenade is so very Barcellonesque!
It fits the spirit of the place.
Well, it´s a pity this promenade it´s not in Barcelomna, anyway…
It´s in Benidorm, the spanish Las Vegas: http://lacomunidad.elpais.com/blogfiles/herickcampos/Benidorm.jpg
What I find interesting is that the craft of this relates to Gaudi in a small way, with the heavily rounded edges and undulating corners/curves. I think this is successful on many levels
long live the spirits of gaudi and jujol! wonderful, marvelous, fabulous, beautiful. i hope it weathers well.
OAB…FOA? Either way, it looks great.
You forget OMA, hehehe
Nicely Designed: Benidorm Seafront. http://bit.ly/bxe3Dr
RT @nicholaspatten Nicely Designed: Benidorm Seafront. http://bit.ly/bxe3Dr
original, simple, beautifull, great work !!
this kind of projects can be appreciated by architects and “Non-architects”. that is also a rare and good thing.
I’m surprised by this… it reminds me strongly of Gaudi’s Park Güell and i like it a lot
-but-
i think this should be about either form or colour… going for both seems like overkill to me. The colour needs to be desaturated! Given the very dramatic form, wouldn’t a patchwork of subtly changing textures rather than just colour have been better?
I love this piece of architecture. Beautiful and functional, it engage well with the surrounding. I love it. Beautiful color blending and good use of materials.
the color and the use of curves make this project beautiful and functional
Must surprised it is real.. Looks good building quality. Perfect idea and congratulations, that they made the way from project to real site…..
Hideous. Like an alien landed on the beach. It’s more an obstacle than a link between the build environment and the beach.
And those colours, ouch: they hurt my eyes! Will be out of fashion and bore people in less than two years.
I dont think it is sensitive to the context at all. It blocked the view from the road to a large extent. people have to descend to the beach by some indirect ramp and stairs, which is awkward.
It is Carlos Ferrater the one who is under this OBA project.
Good project and well built.
In respect of commentaries criticizing the accessibility and shape, you have to see first how the city is configured previously and the possibilities. I think thy did the most logical way and they gave color to such a dull city (it is not Barcelina, it is Benidorm…)
Congrats!
9:26 AM Jul 13th
Veltījums karstajam laikam – pilsētas pludmaļu arhitektūra Benidormā – http://goo.gl/syGR
9:32 AM Jul 13th
RT @A4D_arhitektura: Veltījums karstajam laikam – pilsētas pludmaļu arhitektūra Benidormā – http://goo.gl/syGR
9:48 AM Jul 13th
RT @A4D_arhitektura: Veltījums karstajam laikam – pilsētas pludmaļu arhitektūra Benidormā – http://goo.gl/syGR
1:30 PM Jul 19th
Re-vitalization projects on ArchDaily: "Designed by Office of
Architecture in Barcelona, this urban landscape… http://fb.me/EQr0sRUC
6:16 AM Sep 16th
Benidorm Seafront / OAB | ArchDaily http://t.co/zp2XRsV via @archdaily
2:05 AM Oct 9th
INCRÍVEL, PAISAGISMO+ARQUITETURA Benidorm Seafront / OAB | ArchDaily http://t.co/zD1mA6W via @archdaily
3:16 AM Jun 1st
こういうのはスケール感がおかしくなったり下品になったりしがちだけどこれは秀逸。スペイン・ベニドルムの海岸通り http://trunc.it/guac3
11:47 AM Jan 3rd
Benidorm Seafront / OAB | ArchDaily http://t.co/ikgV8cIz via @archdaily, Cc: @Estakoli