MYRTHA POOLS IN THE CENTRE LA ALHONDIGA BY PHILIPPE STARCK
Myrtha Pools have been chosen for a new important european project, designed by Philippe Starck! Two pools built thanks to the already renowned excellence features guaranteed by Myrtha Technology: a 25x21.20x1.35 m Myrtha Classic overflow pool and a 27x21.20x0.70-1.35 m Classic overflow one, designed with large windowed walls on the floor to make it transparent and so visible to those who walk underneath.
In the centre of the city of Bilbao, after a transformation process, one
of the buildings that are more representative for the town has
resurfaced: the Corn Exchange, the wine shop designed by Ricardo Bastida
in 1909 that is now AlhondigaBilbao, a busy place for all the people
and it drives at becoming a new mover for leisure and culture.
The old wine warehouse, of the Art Nouveau period and declared “artistic
heritage” by Basque government in 1999, celebrates the 100 years of
life after the refurbishment of the façades and the transformation of
the interior with the building of new areas under the control of French
designer Philippe Starck.
Tireless creator, Starck fell in love with the AlhondigaBilbao project
and with the town at first sight: the result of this relation is a
unique, original and simple urban space but riddled with surprises, that
doesn’t leave anyone cold ... the construction of an open indefinite
space where energy becomes alive.
The building, destined to culture, revolves around the three floors of
the 3.800 m2 multi-media library, distributed on a 30 by 38 meter
surface in plan, where, to win the maximum spatial flexibility, 17 m
spans have been built.
The space destined to relax and to care of the body has a 39 by 45 m
dimension with 34 m free spans and it contains all the wellness and
fitness functions with a gym that is about 2.700 m2 on two levels. At
the last floor, the big pools built with Myrtha technology,
heated by 200 m2 solar panels and surmounted by a windowed cover,
occupy the surface of two adjacent blocks and, in the part of link
corresponding to the empty space underneath, the transparent floor
appears highly scenographic. At the same level, there are also a superb
panoramic terrace on the town and a solarium framed by long arch walls
with a metaphysical flavour. The third building, at last, hosts 3.800 m2
of complementary activities, arranged on three floors, two of which are
open to public.
Technical card:
Project: Philippe Starck-Starck Networks
Customer: Bilbao Town Hall (La Alhóndiga, Centro de Ocio y Cultura, S.A.U.)
Dimensions: 60.000 m2 approx. (total surface)
Chronology: 2001, design; 2010, end of works
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