FISH MARKET, PORT OFFICES AND LANDSCAPE RENOVATION OF THE PORTUGAL WHARF IN AYAMONTE
CLIENT: JUNTA DE ANDALUCÍA. AGENCIA PÚBLICA DE PUERTOS DE ANDALUCÍA. CONSEJERÍA DE FOMENTO, INFRAESTRUCTURAS Y ORDENACIÓN DEL TERRITORIO
COMPETITION: FIRST PRIZE

ARCHITECTS: ELAP + HOMBRE DE PIEDRA

BUILT AREAS:
BUILDING: 1.287m2
HARBOUR ESPLANADE: 4.314 m2
GLOBAL AREA OF INTERVENTION: 15.421 m2

ESTIMATE: 2.098.998 €

A BALCONY OVERLOOKING THE GUADIANA RIVER

NEW FISH MARKET, PORT OFFICES AND LANDSCAPE RENOVATION OF THE PORTUGAL WHARF IN AYAMONTE

Ports are a source of identity and wealth for the localities which host them. They also often represent an urban problem in the relationship between these cities and their waterfronts. But due to their industrial character, not totally colonised by the urban fabric, in constant transformation and therefore flexible, ports are often a space of opportunities which, if well exploited, can collaborate in transforming the entire urban façade of cities. To this end, it is important to understand and properly assess both their port functionality and their urban potential and to draw up a strategy that makes them compatible.

In the case of the Port of Ayamonte, we find a linear configuration of uses (sports, fishing and passenger transport, as well as a service area for dry docking and shipyards) which occupy almost the entire seafront of the city. The city’s characteristic fusion with its port becomes confusing on the Portugal quay. In this fishing area, the port esplanades are invaded by car parks that hinder the industrial functionality and ruin its landscape potential.

The objectives of the proposed intervention are both to optimise the operation of the port and to improve the relationship between the city and its waterfront. It is proposed to design a large square on the Portugal Quay which, as a magnificent balcony and gateway to the city, will allow Ayamonte to look out over its river and welcome visitors who disembark in this area. To this end, a building is designed to configure this square, to organise its uses and to be a worthy façade from the port to the city. It is also committed to the cultural value of the fishing activity in addition to its industrial importance, by stimulating citizen and tourist routes through the interior of the fish market. The need for a clear delimitation of the port area is carried out with architectural quality as a natural extension of the building in the landscape that unrolls its skin to generate the perimeter fence.

The planning proposes the implantation of the building perpendicular to the Portugal Quay, which allows the generation of a new and ample urban space that at the same time hides and organises behind it the fish loading and movement of vehicles. At the same time, the new building consolidates the access to the port by unifying and taking over the existing buildings to form a unitary volume «infrastructure of use» with architectural and urban quality

In short, the port-city dialogue is sought by adequately estimating both the fishing activity and its urban value.

The building has all the rooms required in the programme of requirements, as well as incorporating new demands such as an exhibition open to external visitors or tourists. All the rooms for commercialisation are located on the ground floor: conservation chambers, storage and cleaning of containers, auction room, administration office, changing rooms and toilets, cleaning warehouse and loading bay. Also included on this same floor is a space for direct sales to the public and a tasting area, located on the ground floor of the existing Harbour Master’s building, with direct access from the new urban square. Upstairs, the offices of the Harbour Master’s Office will remain.

The volume is developed on two levels, where the dispatch/exhibition and handling rooms maintain the full height. There is a route for the external visitor interested in visualising and following the whole process in the fish market, from the landing of the fish, the weighing, the process of preparation for auction, the auction and the exit of the fish, without the tourist visits interfering with the development of the activity. This is possible thanks to external visitor routes both on the ground floor and on the upper floor with direct viewing through glass walls. The specific activity of the fish market consists of its own internal routes, independent of those for external visitors. With the exception of the main entrance, which we consider to be a common space. The office areas of the fish market are located on the upper floor, accessible by stairs and an adapted lift.