The Yacht Club of La Punta (Callao) was the area´s symbolic establishment for over 70 years. It served mainly as the point from which the club´s members were able to board their different vessels anchored in the Callao bay, Peru.
The facilities of the Club were remodeled and strengthened over the years, but never under the framework of a general plan backed by in-depth studies. On the other hand, use of the Club and an increase in membership over the years led to a situation in which the establishment was unable to adequately fulfill the needs of its members. Furthermore, the facilities did not comply with current seismological standards. In light of this, the Club decided to hold a private tender to completely remodel the facilities and expand the area to meet the needs of the Club´s current activities.
During the construction process, the structure of the Club´s main building was reinforced, and subsequently the different spaces were established, which included the kitchen, dining room, bathrooms on both floors, a bar with terraces, service areas and a vessel control tower on the top floor.
The initial idea of the project was to create open, fluid spaces and to accentuate the waiting room and boarding area with a double-high ceiling. The restaurant and kitchen later had to be remodeled and improved, incorporating a clear view of the horizon and the Callao port. The men´s and women´s bathrooms and dressing rooms were built near the boarding area for use by members upon arrival.
Only the bar with terraces and bathrooms are located on the second floor, giving the first and second floors total functional independence. There is harmony between the architecture and decoration, the latter by Francesca Reategui, both of which emphasize views of the vessels, port or nautical club.
From the horn-shaped handles of the sliding glass doors to the fish-eye entrance way of the bar on the second floor. White, the color of most yachts, is the main color used in the architecture and decoration of the facilities. Metal bracing was required to reinforce the main structure, pursuant to current standards, and this was strategically positioned at points where the ocean view is important, creating a visual link with the masts of the vessels and elements of the Callao port.
In terms of the Club´s spaces, the vessels can generate different sensations depending on where the viewer is located, such as within the vessel or at the prow or stern. This led the project to seek different spatial effects within the facilities, both on the first and second floors, which are generated by locations that provide views of both the horizon and sky and by slightly more closed spaces, which nonetheless always have the horizon as a point of reference. The furnishings were designed to reinforce the overall idea of each space; for the most part they are comfortable and somber with colorful accents, which are further set off by the neutral white of the walls.
Project Details:
Location: Callao, Perú
Architects: Lores STUDIO Architects – www.sebastianloresgl.com
Photographs: Montalvo & Perona
