Royal Sailing Club of Madrid

It stands a promontory to accommodate the pier crane (given the fluctuations in the level of the reservoir), always over the water, with views from both sides of the spur. While the first, L-shaped phase opens onto the reservoir, creating the northern façade of the building and surrounding the hill on which it stands, in the second phase this height is surpassed by the large general living-lounge-dining room, formed by a single rectangular glazed body, the terrace of which would be the roof of the first phase. Another room, also glazed, could be accessed above this first floor, which would complete the project. The structure consists of four large  single-column reinforced concrete portal frames supported at the rear on the rocky ground.

For the second phase, a light, slightly-sloping mono-pitch metal roof  was planned. In contrast to the massive concrete portal frames which form an essential part of the elevations and give the building a strong factory-like appearance, the rooms are enclosed with very light systems, such as large windows, wooden panels and awning roofs, allowing, on a very open floor plan, open lounges for the summer, and other closed, albeit glazed ones with views of the reservoir.

Through the large overhangs of the porticoes (with their geometric, almost neo-plasticist character, with their large two-dimensional planes and the shadows they cast), the concrete surfaces and the rendering and painting of some of the enclosures are expressively accentuated, which may give an image that is certainly brutalist, but which contrasts magnificently with the calm sheet of water and the rounded shapes of the granite rocks on which the building sits.

Inside, the intention was to create a nautical atmosphere using boat-type staircases and wood veneer on all surfaces and elements, such as railings, long benches, doors and cupboards, etc.

Several industrial-type finishes were used in the project, such as the cement paving on the two floors, the tubular metal handrails, metal mudguards and the exterior lighting.

The architect uses the furniture, to a large extent, to define the different spaces, proposing a highly integrated global image; in this regard , it is interesting to note the sail lockers on the ground floor, and the long benches in the cafeteria and terraces, which demarcate the surfaces.

As mentioned above, the second phase of the project was not built, nor were several elements of the first phase, including the boat crane.