The international Competition for Casa Mediterraneo was conceived with the ambitious and remarkable purpose of creating a congregation space for the many different cultures and civilizations that bathe the Mediterranean Sea. The project, located amidst the newly created Parque del Mediterraneo, is intended to become a tectonic filter in the urban fabric of the city of Alicante presenting an open and inviting access strategy in its east-west axis.
In addition to encouraging increased pedestrian traffic activity through the building, the preservation of the old Benalua Train Station was a key component of the initial strategy for the project. This was achieved by proposing the methodical reconstruction of the facades, the stabilization of the old structure and the restoration of the metal trusses that supported the original roof. These old delicate and elegantly designed trusses are representative of the intricate metal architectural structures promoted by Eiffel and others and their influence in train the infrastructure architecture of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
The old restored trusses will support a new double membrane roof system. The outer layer will be made of perforated aluminum panels and the internal membrane will be comprised of a honeycomb polycarbonate panel system offering different levels of transparency. This new roof will wrap a large portion of the building providing it with a new visual identity. The membranes will also articulate the main nave space by gracefully filtering light emulating the memorable palm tree walkways of Alicante.
