Europan VIII-Ceuta

An  hexagonal grid subtly modulates the intervention, fading away, generating a three axis coordinate map of interactions from which an apparently organic system, close to chaos is obtained but which follows an invisible order.

Simple programs are identified with elemental entities, the atoms, whose attractions and bonds generate more complex units, the chemical equivalency of molecules which in our case translates to buildings. the minimum dimensions in plan and in section, sizes the atoms, which are attracted or repelled by the programmatic forces.

City’s ground flooris minimized, liberating space. the city belongs to the pedestrian, since in their itineraries there are no limitations or barriers.

Circulatory traffic network is duplicated depending on the width of the affected zone, hence allowing for a homogenous service in all the intervention zones.

The duplicated zones also become roundabouts, allowing for a changein direction.

The network forms a zigzag tissue, leaving the road character behind to become an urban cross-street.

Pedestrian network is constituted of two themes: paths parallel to the coast, which are duplicated in the inclined zones, allowing for sea views from two different heights, paths perpendicular to the coast which communicate the promenade paths with the circulating traffic network.

Starting off with visual conservation from the pedestrian paths, with the triangular density profiles in section and optimizing the visual quantity from dwellings, a topology action method is generated; a density map for buildings.

Natural spaces are generated around buildings. those southerly orientated, which receive the most sun, become green areas of grass, protected from excessive sun by vegetation, mean while the northern areas become recreation areas, with sand.

The empty spaces beneath the buildings will be eventually occupied by business units. a market feeling will be reintroduced taking advantage of those empty spaces, by mounting temporary light metallic structures with polyester canvases.

The coast is transformed, combining the same urban spaces which weave the rest of the intervention. in this manner we can find sea side gardens, beach areas, public parks and ponds.

The uneven areas are absorbed with platforms in different heights which join up by ramps.

Javier Tamer Elshiekh Melgar. Arquitecto