A mix of solid and perforated bricks creates rich patterns in the facade of this Barcelona sports centre, completed by three collaborating architecture studios.
Albert Salazar Junyent and Joan Carles Navarro of AIA, Antoni Barceló and Bárbara Balanzó of Barceló-Balanzó Arquitectes, and Gustau Gili Galfetti all teamed up on the design of Camp del Ferro.
Located in Sagrera, in the north of the city, it contains three indoor sports courts for the Sant Andreu district, an area where public sports facilities were scarce.
The facade is made up of bricks in different tones and opacities
The architects chose brickwork for Camp del Ferro's exterior, as a mark of respect to the neighbourhood.
Not only is brick a common material in the area, but it also allowed for a mix of opacities, patterns and textures. Solid and perforated bricks in different shades create a variety of irregular stripes and bands, helping to visually break up the massing. The variation of bricks helps to soften the massing of the building
"The construction system is based largely on brick, deliberately revisiting the old factories, warehouses and workshops that are so numerous in the area," said the architects in a group statement.
"The low maintenance, bare brick facades alternate empty and full; opaque, translucent and transparent; and masonry units of different formats and colours, with the aim of lightening the whole."
Angled sun shades are made of perforated bricks
While the effect m...