Municipal Auditorium

The building project housing the Municipal Auditorium in Lucena recognizes the importance of the proximity to the river, the city’s exhibition centre and integration with the landscape as well as the extreme climatic conditions of the area.

The walk along the river provides a spatial sequence based on different gradients of open, semi-covered, covered and enclosed spaces. As a prelude, a large space or open forum is created for crowds to congregate at concerts and outdoor events. Access to the building is via a ramp with a porch overhang recreating a foyer terrace to enjoy the views of the river and generates a cool, shaded microclimate that encourages not only the auditorium public to stay, but those from the city as well. The terrace-foyer culminates in an enclosure or patio that leads into the closed spaces of the building.

The shape of the building is simple yet forceful; it identifies with and integrates into the landscape, as just another pavilion incorporating itself into the urban planning of the exhibition grounds. The new facility gives a new entrance image on the access routes into the city. The building consists of two main architectural elements: a solid base and light roof. The base acts as an extension of the topography which can be adjusted, if required, to integrate with the environment promoting the continuity of public space and the landscape towards the inside of the building. The light roof is detached from the base, allowing striking spans and openings to bring in the interior spaces.

The interior of the auditorium has been carefully designed in response to the acoustic requirements and with the incorporation of telescopic grandstands to obtain a multipurpose room with a flat floor for all kinds of events and entertainment needs.

Municipal Auditorium Lucena, Spain
Program: auditorium
Architects: MX_SI architectural studio
 – Mara Partida, Boris Bezan, Héctor Mendoza
Collaborators: Elsa Bertrán, Filipe Fonseca, Oscar Espinosa, Olga Bombac
Structural engineering: BOMAIMPASA
Fluids: JG Ingenieros 
Acoustics: Arau Acústica 
Stagecraft: Scenic Light
Area: 6,700 sqm
Completion: 2015