Magnificent Factoría Joven Skate Park is a Luminous Oasis in Mérida

Spain-based <a title="Magnificent Open Skate Park by Selgascano Brings Cool and Healthy Playfulness to a Spanish City" href="http://www.selgascano.net/" target="_blank">Selgascano Studio</a> recently completed construction upon Factoría Joven - an incredible <a title="Magnificent Open Skate Park by Selgascano Brings Cool and Healthy Playfulness to a Spanish City" href="http://inhabitat.com/skate-parks-jump-the-gap-to-green-design/" target="_blank">skate park</a> and outdoor playground set on the outskirts of <a title="Magnificent Open Skate Park by Selgascano Brings Cool and Healthy Playfulness to a Spanish City" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9rida,_Spain" target="_blank">Mérida</a>. Inspired by construction methods used to create Chinese dragons and built to last, the boldly colored structure shines from within with a beautiful white glow. Read on for a closer look at this magnificent building, which may just inspire you to pick up a skateboard and start practicing tricks at your local park.

Factoría Joven surprised adults and kids when it opened its doors in Mérida last March.

The old capital of Lusitania, home to a unique <a title="Magnificent Open Skate Park by Selgascano Brings Cool and Healthy Playfulness to a Spanish City" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list" target="_blank">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a>, now houses one of Spain’s most striking <a title="Magnificent Open Skate Park by Selgascano Brings Cool and Healthy Playfulness to a Spanish City" href="http://inhabitat.com/architecture/" target="_blank">architectural</a> 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.

The <a title="Magnificent Open Skate Park by Selgascano Brings Cool and Healthy Playfulness to a Spanish City" href="http://www.juntaex.es/juntaex/" target="_blank">Extremadura</a> 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 <a title="Magnificent Open Skate Park by Selgascano Brings Cool and Healthy Playfulness to a Spanish City" href="http://inhabitat.com/the-marcus-house-is-a-breezy-beach-bungalow-that-needs-no-air-conditioning-at-all/" target="_blank">polycarbonate panels</a> 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.