This building hosts the new headquarters of the Society of Anglers “La Corchuela” in San Fernando, Cádiz, a more proper location in comparison with the previous one, el Caño Zaporito, next to the Natural Park Bahía of Cadiz.

Our project idea won the public competition in 2005. It rehabilitates an abandoned area next to the city borders and the Natural Park. In these circumstances, where there are only rubble and marshland, space looks unstructured and in need of renovation.

The plot has gone through environmental rehabilitation and some reconditioning work. Along with the new complex, you can easily enjoy local natural attractions, thanks to multiple spaces for panorama contemplation, as nature and environment workshop labs and canoeing school.

The part of the building that faces the neighbouring road is sealed, interrupted only by the big gate of the entrance. It is just slightly visible from the city, filtered by the sequence of the Andalusian patios. This “barrier” facade is totally in opposition with the other side of the construction, where that front opens over the salt lakes.

The structure consists of a long platform built on pilings that represents a doorstep between the city and the Natural Park, on the right boundary of the Caño Zaporito.  The building develops horizontally, with big voids and glazed courtyards, sheltered by huge blades, which allow looking over the salt lakes and the Parks. Their cladding in copper makes the complex better integrate with the surrounding landscape. The centre has an ecological gardened rooftop, thought to emphasize the vocation of the building of being a natural sightseeing point.

After entering the plot, it is possible to reach the Park directly through a pedestrian path. At first sight, a big void in a horizontal volume takes our attention, framing the flourishing landscape and the entrance to the complex.

On one side, there is the Canoeing School with independent entrance, ticket office, wardrobe and storage. On the Northside, plunging into the salt lake water, there is the dock itself and the boat repair service.

On the Southside, the entrance to the Angling Club is 80 cm elevated from the School of Canoeing entry and a ramp goes into the lobby of the building. The disposition of the bar right here allows its independent use by visitors who don’t belong to the Club. The axis along you can go through the complex is completely open onto the landscape and it’s the backbone from where the architectural program develops its functions, such as reception, administration, toilets. At the end of the axis, the meeting room and the convention hall produce an autonomous and flexible core, which delimits the south border of the Club. These halls can display different configuration, thanks to movables walls, reaching a capacity of 170 people for special events.  Courtyards outline is marked just using horizontal surfaces, the ground and the ceiling, the salt lake and the sky.