Architects: Boutan Garcia Gomez
2003
This proposal focuses on the particular context of the project.
The tower project is located at the boundaries of a former industrial area. It also belongs to the maritime world as the water almost reaches it. The design intentions are to use a vocabulary that allows it to be familiar with both contexts. As a future element of the skyline of the area, the building will refer to its characteristics. On the docks, the skyline was dominated by chimneys and grain silos. Farther, lighthouses are typical features of the landscape of the bay. These elements have in common their cylindrical structure. In the tower, several cylinders form the main structure. They house the vertical circulations and the service rooms ( kitchen, restrooms, technical rooms, … ); on top, the main cylinder houses the U2 recording facilities. Their display and sizes are intended to be reminiscent of the surrounding skyline. They also help to emphasize the verticality of the tower.
The structure is wrapped by open free spaces ( restaurant, nightclub, offices, U2 studio) that take the appearance of the sea fog and of the former smoke of the industrial area.
As a landmark in the city, the new tower aims to look familiar in the skyline, to be an essence of the local landscape.