Case Study
A dialogue between past, present and future takes place at the Museo/Espacio Histórico in Roquetas de Mar, a building with a very unique façade
Martínez Arias Arquitectos
Lieu
Roquetas de Mar, Almería (Spain)
Constructeur
Jarquil Construcción, S.A.
Matériau
DEKTON
Aplication
Façade, flooring, stairs, counter, cladding
Date de fin
2022
Architecture/Design
Martínez Arias Arquitectos
Monteur
Euroclad
Couleur
Danae, Keon, Sterling, Kairos
Épaisseurs
4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm
Located in the historic centre of Roquetas de Mar and designed by Martínez Arias Arquitectos, the Museo/Espacio Histórico (Museum/Historic Space) was created as a symbol of sustainability and commitment to the local economy. The project, which will tell the story of the city’s history, culture and activity, responds to the need for a dynamic and participatory exhibition space, strategically located in a rectangular plot close to the Plaza de la Constitución.
The design of the museum was conceived to make the place a distinctive landmark for both citizens and visitors, while maintaining a calm and forceful dialogue with its urban surroundings. To pay homage to the history of the site, it was decided that the main façade of the existing dwelling on the plot, as well as other elements, would be preserved and incorporated into the new design, thus maintaining its relevance in the collective imagination of the city.
From the very beginning, the studio had a very clear vision: “In a firm commitment to the local economy, the building was to be constructed using materials manufactured in the province of Almería, both for sustainability and socio-economic reasons.” This decision underlines the project’s commitment to the environment and the local economy and makes Cosentino, a company based in the province of Almería, the ideal partner to make it a reality.
Dekton’s versatility at the service of functionality and aesthetics
The choice of Dekton in a range of colours and finishes was based not only on geographical proximity, but also on the quality and technical performance of the material. “The quality of the finishes, the technical specifications and possibilities, the ultra-compact surface, the warranty and the durability were all determining factors in the choice,” the studio says.
Its use serves functional purposes and contributes to the aesthetics and character of the building. “The material was used for the interior flooring, the stairs, the façade (ventilated and fixed), the cladding of the entrance counter and the panelling of the back doors,” the studio says. This versatility allowed for a very harmonious integration and visual continuity throughout the museum.
As an example of the endless applications of Dekton, the studio highlighted “the recessed skirting boards in rooms, the stair treads, the grooving in the stair slabs to comply with accessibility regulations or the design of the counter.” These details demonstrate how functionality and aesthetics can coexist.
One of the main challenges of the project was to create a virtually blind façade, avoiding the ‘party wall’ effect. “Now, thanks to its design, the façade reflects the passing of the day and achieves an effect of great plasticity, resulting in a dynamic façade that is neither loud nor ‘excessive’ for its context.” The façade not only complements its urban surroundings, but also “denies the scale of the building” and blends seamlessly into the urban fabric. At night, the volumetric effect and the plasticity of the façade are particularly noticeable thanks to the lighting of the building.
A unique façade and a bespoke system
The façade of this project is unique in a number of ways. Firstly, it presents an original design by the Martinez Arias studio with two distinct parts: a base consisting of cladding directly fixed to the substrate in Dekton Keon; and an upper volume featuring a ventilated façade, also in Dekton. In addition, the façade presents a toothed design that plays with two different angles in the connection between the parts and features a linear cladding on the edges of the frame.
Secondly, the technical development of the profile system by Euroclad, with metal profiles in a horizontal and vertical grid and elements in two types of V-section that create the different façade angles. The 8 mm Dekton Edora panels are fixed using Keil screws and wall plugs. Cosentino supplied all Dekton panels cut-to-size, mitred and drilled according to the project calculations.