SOMO SURF CENTRE

Somo. Ribamontán al Mar. Cantabria

The surf centre is located on the border between the urban area and the beach of Somo, configured as an access hall that solves the transition between both landscapes. It is a multifunctional building with a dual purpose: to boost tourist activity and provide services to surfers.

The two uses, tourism and sports, are interrelated through a courtyard that opens in the heart of the building. This courtyard is the vital centre, functioning as a passageway to the beach and a relationship space for surfers and users of the building. The coming and going of boards and towels becomes a casual backdrop for the tourist and educational activities that take place in the centre.

The difference in level between the street and the beach is bridged by staggering the building on two levels. On the lower level, at street level, the visitor is welcomed and the main activities of the centre take place. On the upper level, at beach level, is located the cafeteria linked to a large terrace with panoramic views that serves as a lure to bring together more activity.

From the beach, the building appears light and horizontal, diluting and blurring its presence until it is almost unnoticed. From the parking lot, the building shows a robust and abstract image, breaking down the volume through a set of concrete bands and large windows. Facade and interiors are dotted with a set of tropical wood slats that give warmth to the sobriety of the concrete volumes.

Project carried out in collaboration with Javier Romero Soto.

MOAH Architects. Architecture and interior design studio

Playa de Somo con Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Cantabria

Centro de Surf al fondo de la arena diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Fachada de hormigón y madera de Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Concrete fecade of Surf Center designed by Moah Architects in Somo

Fachada ciega de hormigón de Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Volúmenes de hormigón del Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Fachada de hormigón y barandilla de Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Fachada hormigón y lamas de madera tropical de Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Main entrance with steel door of Surf Center designed by Moah Architects in Somo

Steel sign on concrete wall of Surf Center designed by Moah Architects in Somo

Vestíbulo con suelo de hormigón, grandes cristaleras y muebles de madera de Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Diseñador de Interiores en Somo

Patio con tarima y lamas de madera de Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Almacén de tablas de Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Aparcamiento, rampas y Centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Fachada de hormigón y rampa hacia playa del centro de Surf diseñado por Moah Arquitectos en Somo

Entrance of Surf Center designed by Moah Architects in Somo

PLEA BEACH HOUSE. LOREDO

Loredo. Ribamontán al mar. Cantabria

Plea is located in Loredo, right on the border between the village and a pine forest that leads to the beach. The project was born with the vocation of being much more than a hostel: it is a surf training center, a restaurant for tourists and locals, a cafeteria, a stop for swimmers going to and from the beach... in short: a reference and meeting point.

One of the main challenges was to preserve the privacy of the guests while creating a whole series of open-access spaces with a manifestly public character. To this end, the common spaces are organized on the first floor, highly permeable and open to the exterior, and the private spaces on the upper floors, with independent routes and access controls.

In the public spaces, a casual and friendly atmosphere is created with bright colors in the furniture and an urban aesthetic that combines the firmness of concrete, the simplicity of brick and the warmth of wood. The interior expands outwards thanks to the large windows and the treatment of materials and vegetation that extends outwards.

The outdoor spaces are organized towards the west, allowing the afternoon sun and the sea breeze to be enjoyed and welcoming bathers. Through the topography and the composition of volumes, a rich play of terraces, patios and terraces is created.

In the rest areas, the aim is to combine the collective character of a hostel with the private character of a hotel. For this purpose, light wood boxes are designed inside the rooms, allowing guests to have a space of privacy and autonomy.

MOAH Architects. Architecture and interior design studio