Magnificent Factoría Joven Skate Park is a Luminous Oasis in Mérida
Posted By Ana Lisa Alperovich On July 11, 2011 @ 6:22 pm In Architecture,Daylighting,Design for Health,gallery,social design,Urban design | No Comments
[9]Photo © Iwan Baan
Factoría Joven surprised adults and kids when it opened its doors in Mérida last March. The old capital of Lusitania, home to a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site [10], now houses one of Spain’s most striking architectural [11] parks. The outdoor skate and amusement park is elevated upon a base about 1.5 metres off the ground in order to protect the archaeological remains beneath it. The multifunctional space is a place where youth can meet, practice sports, dance, play music and even access the Internet through public computers.
[12]Photo © Iwan Baan
The Extremadura [13] Regional Council worked with local residents to build Factoría Joven in only 13 months. The whole project was built at a cost of about 1.2 million euros mainly using long-lasting weatherproof polycarbonate panels [14] set on a metal structure. The Internet room is suffused with natural light and features a bright orange floor. To minimize costs and environmental impact the room was furnished using recycled furniture. Because the canopy is basically a large, one-metre-thick “thermal cushion” made from plastic, it serves as a cool and breezy shelter that protects its visitors from the scorching Mediterranean summers.
[15]Photo © Iwan Baan
Due to its extreme architectural impact and its long-lasting design, the building raised a critical political debate on how a public space should be designed today. But Factoría Joven is also a spectacular example of architecture built by the council in coordination with local residents. The project is set on the outskirts of a semi-industrial city in an effort to prevent the city’s desertification while encouraging young [16] and old alike to engage in pleasurable and healthy outdoor [17] experiences.
+ Selgascano [6]
Via Domus [18]
Photos © Iwan Baan
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/magnificent-open-skate-park-by-selgascano-brings-cool-and-healthy-playfulness-to-a-spanish-city/
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[6] Selgascano Studio: http://www.selgascano.net/
[7] skate park: http://inhabitat.com/skate-parks-jump-the-gap-to-green-design/
[8] Mérida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9rida,_Spain
[9] Image: http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/07/Selgascano-Factoria-Joven-Merida-Spain-Outdoors-Skate-Park-1.jpg
[10] UNESCO World Heritage Site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list
[11] architectural: http://inhabitat.com/architecture/
[12] Image: http://inhabitat.com/magnificent-open-skate-park-by-selgascano-brings-cool-and-healthy-playfulness-to-a-spanish-city/selgascano-factoria-joven-merida-spain-outdoors-skate-park-6/
[13] Extremadura: http://www.juntaex.es/juntaex/
[14] polycarbonate panels: http://inhabitat.com/the-marcus-house-is-a-breezy-beach-bungalow-that-needs-no-air-conditioning-at-all/
[15] Image: http://inhabitat.com/magnificent-open-skate-park-by-selgascano-brings-cool-and-healthy-playfulness-to-a-spanish-city/selgascano-factoria-joven-merida-spain-outdoors-skate-park-8/
[16] young: http://www.inhabitots.com/
[17] outdoor: http://inhabitat.com/fun-and-fanciful-eco-park-sprouts-up-at-amsterdam-schipol-airport/
[18] Domus: http://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/critical-playground/
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