The rehabilitation of the former covered riding arena located in Madrid aims to recover the memory of the place, highlighting the existing values of the old building with the relationship between the environment and the programme, developing an enclosure of wooden slats improving the energy performance.
With this project, we ensure the maximum comfort inside the building and reduce energy consumption through different effects of transparency, reflections, lights and shadows filtered and projected through a first transparent polycarbonate skin made of wooden strips, which acts as protection against solar radiation.
Carrying out the rehabilitation from an economical and the rational viewpoint, the project highlights the values of the existing building from the way to solve the relationship with their environment and the programme through formal and constructive forcefulness.
This sensitivity to the project having been developed first of all the façade of asbestos is removed because it dates from 1963 and is harmful to human health. The design of a new enclosure also contributes to enhancing the architectural, environmental and landscape values of the existing building, trying to optimise its energy performance.
The new facade has been carefully designed bearing in mind the stunning natural environment in which the current covered riding arena is situated, surrounded by lush vegetation and large deciduous trees . From the outside the new enclosure imitates the natural wooded setting, through effects of transparency, reflections, lights and shadows filtered and projected through the two skins.
A first transparent polycarbonate skin on an existing steel substructure ensures the seal and improves the overall hygrothermal quality place, allowing the necessary solar collection during the cooler months with greater use of the facilities and cross ventilation of the covered riding arena in the hottest months of the year.
A second skin acts as protection against solar radiation during the hottest months and in turn it allows the entry of solar radiation in the months less heated. This skin is made of a framework of wooden strips; inspired by the perimeter trees, with wooden slats arranged horizontally to form the carefully studied lattice .
On the inside a selective and respectful renovation has been developed contributing to enhancement and reactivation of the intrinsic values of the original building through specific interventions like minor acupuncture operations.