Competition proposal for the internal layout of Castro Urdiales Market, an early 20th century modernist building by the prestigious local architect Eladio Laredo y Carranza. Our proposal was very straight forward aiming to reinforce the existing typology and take advantage of its magnificent section.

The required program was organised around the perimeter and a compact island in the Northern area that allowed us to offer a very clear circulation and liberate half of the building as a flexible covered public space. Besides this, all the existing entrances were maintained in order to offer maximum permeability to the premises reinforcing the public character of the design.

The intervention is the insertion of perimetral wall and a central piece of furniture. This new internal urban facade forms a complete perimeter around the central space enforcing its monumental scale. The perimeter wall, realised completely as a bolted construction of steel elements follows the primary structure of the existing building, contains the 6 six different arched entrances.

A system of vertically sliding, perforated panels allows for the walls to be closed off when the shops are not operating, while keeping them visually present. The central island operates as a light piece of furniture, realised with steel and fabric. Both elements keep similar aesthetics that establish a dialogue with the existing structure.