The competition brief called for a roof over an old pelota court in the Basque Country to enable its reuse for various purposes such as concerts, theater performances, outdoor dining, or even sporting events.
The concept for the roof is based on representing the space’s original use. Each pillar of the structure marks a section of the pelota game, while the shapes are inspired not only by the ball’s trajectory within the playing field but also by the areas the court encompasses. In this way, even though future uses may differ, the space continues to highlight its original purpose and cultural tradition.
The chosen material for the roof is corten steel, which blends at the urban scale with its surroundings—mainly composed of buildings with Arab-style roof tiles. Nevertheless, its use gives the space a distinctive character, emphasizing its public nature and giving it a modern, contemporary image.
