This great underground lounge is a 54x54m square, divided in 9 identical 18x18m areas, from where the 5.4 meters tall rib vaults are organized. Each rib vault is the result of intersecting two parabolic guidelines vaults, so the structure results to be the ant funicular of the gravity loads. It has to be underlined, also the surprising slender of the vaults, with only 22cm on the keystone, and 33cm in the arisings.
For compensate the horizontal pressure, the foundations had been reinforced. The concrete, which had not been covered by any element, transmit a warm sensation thanks to the horizontal pine boards which had been used in the formwork. The contour lines created, also helped by the subtle finishing works of the concrete, underline the parabolic guidelines. It could also be said that the concrete appearance could be an extrapolation form the barrel boards, fossilized, creating a cave. The cave appearance can also be observed in the remarkable fact that the vaults begin in the floor, from based located in the four corners of the square element. Those bases are also the perfect place for the ascending illumination which vanish the ground and creates the delusion of a flying vault.
It should be point also that the architecture is not only aesthetical, the vaults, with the terrain that covered them, isolate the barrels, creating a perfect climate for the wine production, avoiding extreme temperature or humidity changes.
Owner: Señorio de Otazu
Project: Arenas & Asociados
Surface: 3315 m2. Vault: 18 x 18 m. Height: 4.8 m
Contractor: UTE Senosiain - Elizalde
Arenas & Asociados’ Role: Complete project developer
