Urlo Studio unveils sleek steel pavilion for Ecuadorian Sports Club

Urlo Studio, renowned for its thoughtful and efficient architectural designs, has recently completed an ‘aesthetic and functional’ gym and multi-sport club on Mocolí Island, located in the Babahoyo River in Samborondón, Ecuador.

GALLERY  

The 8,772-square metre (94,421-square foot) complex, known as the Mocolí Sports Club or Club Deportivo Mocolí, features a glass and aluminium pavilion with a composite facade that seamlessly integrates with its lush surroundings.

The design of the Mocolí Sports Club is characterized by its efficient and sober aesthetic, achieved through the strategic placement of a single-height pavilion. This orthogonal configuration fosters visual and functional connectivity between the various elements of the complex. The pavilion itself is constructed with steel frames on continuous footings, supporting a steel deck and lightweight insulated foundation. This robust yet light structure is accentuated by a white metal framework that enhances the building’s rhythmic facade.

One of the striking features of the complex is the landscaped central patio, which serves as the focal point for the guests. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a reception area and a covered waiting space. The exterior walls of the pavilion are recessed from the building’s edge, creating an extensive porch that encircles the structure. This porch is adorned with a glossy tile walkway and a wood slat soffit, providing a welcoming atmosphere.

The gymnasium, located on the western half of the linear building, is enveloped in floor-to-ceiling glazing, offering expansive views of a covered yoga area to the west and a grassed sporting field to the north. Adjacent to the gym are private locker rooms, concealed behind an opaque pale green facade made of composite aluminium panels. The building employs a ventilated facade system with low-emission chamber glass, enhancing its thermal performance and reducing the impact of equatorial sunlight.

On the eastern side, the pavilion houses a restaurant featuring a dining area that opens up to the surroundings through the same glazing system used throughout the complex. Custom-designed mobile furniture with incorporated vegetation allows the restaurant to adapt to various needs, offering either private or open spaces. Sliding doors connect the restaurant to a poolside covered lounge area, creating a direct interior-exterior relationship.

A highlight of the sports club is the semi-Olympic pool with an infinity edge, positioned along the western edge of the pavilion. This pool seamlessly blends into the landscape, with a shallower northern section for sunbathing and safety for young swimmers. The surrounding landscaping provides a fresh and private environment, ensuring visual intimacy from both the street and the nearby courts.

Urlo Studio’s Mocolí Sports Club exemplifies a harmonious blend of form and function, offering a serene yet dynamic space for sports and recreation amidst the natural beauty of Mocolí Island.

Images by JAG Studio via Dezeen

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