Sayart.net - Innovative Wooden Pavilion Transforms Abandoned Spanish Riverfront Into Community Space

A thoughtfully designed wooden pavilion has successfully transformed a neglected concrete dock along Spain's Ebro River into a vibrant community gathering space, demonstrating how temporary architectural interventions can breathe new life into overlooked urban areas. The project, known as "Habitar el Río" (Living the River), was created by Paris-based architect Erazo Pugliese as part of Concéntrico 2025, the renowned International Festival of Architecture and Design held annually in Logroño, Spain. The festival is dedicated to activating urban spaces through innovative temporary installations that challenge conventional uses of public areas. Located along the banks of the Ebro River in Logroño, the hand-built pavilion serves multiple functions as a shaded retreat for rest, a platform for observation of the natural environment, and a social space for community exchange. The structure strategically bridges the gap between an unused concrete pier and the river's fluctuating waterline, effectively transforming what was once merely a transitional passageway into a meaningful destination that promotes both ecological awareness and collective inhabitation. The pavilion's design reflects careful consideration of environmental factors and user comfort. The southern facade opens directly toward the river while simultaneously providing protection from harsh direct sunlight. On the northern side, specially positioned plywood panels work to block unwanted glare while facilitating natural passive ventilation throughout the structure. These thoughtful design choices ensure that the pavilion remains both adequately shaded and thermally comfortable throughout the day, utilizing natural airflow patterns to effectively dissipate heat that would otherwise be absorbed by the underlying concrete slab. The project was conceived within the framework of the festival's central theme, which emphasized the interconnected relationships between climate, water, food systems, and social rituals in contemporary urban life. Erazo Pugliese's design aimed to reveal the latent possibilities that exist within public spaces, particularly those that have been forgotten or underutilized by the community. The pavilion occupies a strategic position between the hard, industrial concrete pier and the seasonally changing natural riverbank, reclaiming an area that was historically used for public bathing but had been reduced over time to nothing more than a corridor for people passing through. The construction process itself became a collaborative educational endeavor, built in partnership with architecture students from the Faculty of Architecture at CESUGA (Centro de Estudios Universitarios de Galicia). The project employed a hybrid construction approach that combined prefabrication work completed in A Coruña with final on-site assembly taking place in Logroño. This method allowed for both quality control in the fabrication process and adaptability during installation. During the construction phase, the design team demonstrated remarkable responsiveness to how the site was actually being used by the local community. Observing that canoeists frequently used the platform area to prepare their equipment and provide instruction to newcomers to the sport, the team made the practical decision to add a second bench to better accommodate these activities. This adaptive approach exemplifies how successful public architecture must remain flexible and responsive to real user needs rather than predetermined assumptions about how spaces will be utilized. The festival's temporary nature meant that all installations were dismantled following the event's conclusion. However, Habitar el Río was given a second life when it was carefully relocated to the village of Viniegra de Abajo, situated along the Urbión River in the mountainous region near Logroño. In this new setting, the pavilion continues to fulfill its original purpose as a modest retreat by the water, providing visitors with a peaceful space for contemplation and connection with the natural environment. The success of Habitar el Río demonstrates the potential for temporary architectural interventions to create lasting impact on communities, even when the physical structures themselves are eventually moved or removed. By transforming an abandoned piece of urban infrastructure into a space that encourages social interaction, environmental awareness, and recreational activity, the project illustrates how thoughtful design can help communities rediscover and reimagine their relationship with public spaces and natural resources. The pavilion's journey from festival installation to permanent mountain retreat also highlights the sustainability benefits of designing temporary structures that can be successfully relocated and repurposed, extending their useful life beyond their original context.