Partially Submerged Vallehermoso Sports Complex in Madrid Emulates Surrounding Foliage

To be located in the center of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/museo-abc-transforms-a-madrid-factory-with-glittering-mosaic-facade/" target="_blank">Madrid</a>, the verdant Vallehermoso Sports Center will occupy a space once held by an outdated stadium that was built in the 1950s. Designed by Spain’s <a href="https://www.abmarquitectos.com/" target="_blank">ABM Architects</a>, the stadium's unique design is partially submerged in the earth, making it unobtrusive and giving it insulation benefits. The complex is also designed to integrate steel tubing on its façade, which will emulate the screen of real foliage that shades the front of the building.

Located in the Chamberi district of Vallehermoso, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/mexico-unveils-gigantic-green-roofed-volcano-soccer-stadium/" target="_blank">new complex</a> will house basketball courts, a soccer field with track and stadium seating, fitness center, fencing area, indoor and outdoor pools, cafeteria, spa, physiotherapy area, and areas for classes.

The complex uniquely focuses on both the enjoyment of team sports, but also the individual, with individual training and therapy. The building itself is built within a sloped hill, and surrounded by trees.

This will minimize its effect on the local scenery- residents will notice the new park-like foliage more than the actual stadium itself. In fact, the building just barely protrudes over the trees.

The outside of the building will be encases with steel tubing painted green,that <a href="http://inhabitat.com/startts-poppy-filled-exhibition-at-the-maxxi-museum-will-be-recycled-after-its-dismantled/" target="_blank">emulates the surrounding trees</a>, and creates a sort of forest within itself. The trompe l’oeil will create a relationship between the closed building, and the local greenery. Part of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/beijings-olympic-stadium-by-herzog-and-demeuron/" target="_blank">complex</a> protrudes above the sloped area, and is also lined with the green tubing. When illuminated at night, this section of the sports complex mimics moonlight filtering through trees, creating a visual treat for passersby of a sort of floating light amongst the trees.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/emergent-tom-wiscombe-designs-massive-solar-paneled-civic-sports-center-and-national-games-arena-for-china/" target="_blank">stadium</a>’s submersion keeps the interior naturally cool, and protected from the solar gain, which is absorbed by the encasing turf. ABM designed much of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/riba-announces-stirling-prize-shortlisted-projects-and-more-than-half-are-green/" target="_blank">building</a> to have a solarium like effect, flooding areas such as the pools, courtyards and classrooms with natural light.

The Vallehermoso Sports Center is slated to begin construction in 2012, and will be open for everyone in the community.