COSTA DA MORTE COMMUNITY CENTER
DESARROLLA COMPLETES CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW COSTA DA MORTE COMMUNITY CENTER, A TRIBUTE TO CAIÓN’S WHALING HERITAGE
The whaling past of Caión, in A Laracha, is part of Galicia’s history. It tells the story of an epic struggle that for centuries pitted fearless harpooners against the largest mammals that have roamed the oceans for ages. Today, barely any memories of it remain. A legacy that is about to resurface in an evocative setting: the new Centro Comunitario Costa da Morte.
Desarrolla Obras y Servicios has just completed the construction of a center destined to become the key cultural and economic landmark of this town in A Coruña. A project designed by the studio Naos Arquitectura that evokes the whaling past of Caión and has been conceived as a highly functional building.
Not by chance, the building’s intended use reflects the wide range of functions it will offer: an auditorium, activity rooms, offices for the Cofradía de Pescadores de Caión, a tourist information point… In short, a driving force for the municipality’s future.
A future that will draw, in the finest tradition, from a past that is now almost forgotten. The fact is, the curved shape of the charming building evokes the back of a whale.
For centuries, hunting these mammals was the main source of livelihood for the town. Caión, Malpica, Burela and San Cibrao were, from the Middle Ages until the 18th century, some of the major Galician whaling ports.
It is even documented that the monks of Caión reused the fins of whales to make the straps for farming tools.
The A Laracha Town Council has sought to embrace this entire past and showcase its value through the Costa de Morte Community Center. In fact, its plans include launching themed classrooms and permanent exhibitions that portray the whaling heritage of Caión.
But the project carried out by Desarrolla Obras y Servicios is much more. Built with two above-ground floors and one below ground level, the building has a surface area of almost 900 square meters.
CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE FOR THE NEW CAIÓN COMMUNITY CENTER
The exterior is perhaps the most striking part. The constructora has created an eye-catching curved structure clad in zinc that shapes the roof and part of the façades.
For the vertical surfaces, the main material selected has been textured exposed concrete. A choice that further enhances the contemporary and striking aesthetic of the property designed by Naos Arquitectura.
From the outside, its image will transform the community center into one of the architectural landmarks of Caión, while inside, its functionality adds even greater value to the project.
Thus, the first floor will house the multi-purpose hall. A highly versatile space in which Desarrolla had to execute a steel truss structure with large spans to prevent the room from being interrupted by columns.
Elements that could ultimately hinder attendees’ ability to view activities or any type of event.
This auditorium can be used as a multi-purpose hall. To this end, it features a stage 11 meters wide and 8 meters deep, more than suitable for any type of performance that may be scheduled in Caión.
The ground floor is completed with changing rooms, a sound room, storage area, and restrooms for the public.
As for the first floor, the layout of uses is mainly divided into two areas. On one side, the office area of the Cofradía de Pescadores de Caión.
And on the other, a variety of versatile activity rooms designed to accommodate every kind of use: dance, physical activities, courses, meetings, music… Finally, in the basement level there is only the pit beneath the stage, which has been built to also function as a storage area.
Ultimately, a modern, functional building that will bring new life to the town. And that will help restore the splendor of its whaling past in Caión
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