Concéntrico is Logroño‘s International Festival of Architecture and Design, curated by Javier Peña Ibáñez and held annually since 2015. The Festival invites visitors to wander around the venues, squares, and streets of the city that usually go unnoticed and discover installations and artworks that were created by talented architects and designers with environmental sensibilities. Rintala Eggertsson Architects, Matali Crasset, Konstantin Grcic, Associates Architecture, Collective X, Paweł Grobelny, and Tudor Vlăsceanu, among others, are some of the creators whose work arouses curiosity, welcomes the user to enjoy and unwind and sometimes brings out their dormant inner child.

The structures double as gathering places where people of all ages can interact and participate in different activities, performances, and talks. This year saw the eighth edition of Concéntrico, with numerous creative pieces scattered across the Spanish city. See more about Grcic’s ‘Arenas’, a public installation that consists of three circular structures, in our previous article here, and Crasset’s ‘Dark Sky / Cielo Oscuro’ installation with an owl-like appearance, here.  all images by Josema Cutillas ©Concéntrico | made of recycled plywood and natural stones found around the existing trees

The ‘Hiber Space’ by Rintala Eggertsson Architects (see more here) takes shape as a pavilion nestled in an urban park in La Rioja. Its body of recycled plywood and natural stones almost disappears in the lush surroundings. The structure invites visitors to contemplate, relax and appreciate the everyday beauty of nature that is often taken for granted. Located along the river, it evokes the passing of time that entails the choices we are called upon to make day by day and the impact they have on the surroundings.

the flow of the river is a reminder of the time that passes

The project by Pawel Grobelny (see more here) materializes as linear benches settled in a strict sequence. Each bench’s edge is anchored to a slender column of the town hall building designed by the renowned Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. From a bird’s view, the pieces can be perceived as shadows of the existing columns or as extensions, as they share the same color and length. Apart from visual play, the designer sought to create social interaction. ‘This project, like many of my realizations, attaches to existing architecture. I always try to place my projects silently into a given space so that it is a spatial and functional complement to a given public space,’ comments the designer.

the project attaches to existing architecture, creating a visual continuation

the benches are the same color as the columns and their length is the same as the height of columns

‘The archetype of the house’ designed by Collective X (see more here), refers to the common form of a box-like house with a gable roof. A series of seven-sided polyhedrons (gabled houses) are positioned next to each other while each shares the same cut-out that creates a path to the surrounding scenery of Viña Lanciano. The aim of this installation was to generate a relaxing space where visitors could contemplate and emphasize the coexistence between artificial and natural.

the installation seeks to develop a reflective and contemplative atmosphere with respect to the contact between man and nature

Piovenefabi (see more here) has designed ‘Half Void Full Moon’, a 3 km long path that flees the city center of Logrono and wanders along the nearest countryside. It touches, in order of appearance: the city cemetery and crematorium, a carpet of collective orchards, scattered bushes and rocks, two hostels for peregrines with public seats, a big shed, vineyards and bushes again. A simple roof provides shelter from the weather, while an inflatable helium balloon marks the site from a distance and diffuses a gentle light over the esplanade. ‘The half void is our way to inhabit the wilderness around Logroño,’ shares the designer.

an inflatable helium balloon marks the site from a distance

a wooden amphitheatre supports personal experiences as collective ones.

Designed by Associates Architecture (see more here), ‘Extra-Ordinary Gate’ is located in one of the most historically significant sites of the city, Plaza del Revellín. As its name reveals, the wooden structure emerges as a gate through the walls of the city. Behind the wall, the design team inserted a temporary staircase transforming the square into an open-air theater. The project oscillates between movement and inertia; one element ask you to enter, and the other invites you to linger.

the portal recalls the image of the temporary portals, built in the city of Logroño, during the Fiesta de San Bernabé as well as the shape of the nearby gate of Revellín

Created by Tudor Vlăsceanu (see more here), this installation is positioned in the center of the garden COAR. From afar, the structure exudes a mysterious character with its dark and robust silhouette. From inside, the massive tower unveils another personality. Four large planes lean on each other inwardly, while the gaps between let the viewer’s glance drift away towards the four palms and the sky. ‘There is an act of resistance that allows a different reading of reality.’

the space opens up only towards the four palms and the sky

from inside, a new dimension is demonstrated

Matali Crasset (see more here) enlivens the Paseo del Espolón park in Logroño, Spain, with her ‘Dark Sky / Cielo Oscuro’ installation. The structure evokes the landing of an owl in the middle of the city. Specifically, the installation comprises a yellow metal framework complete with curved contours and wooden cladding that recall the presence of the nocturnal bird transforming the public space between day and night.

Dark sky, simulates an owl that has just landed in the middle of the city

Located at the western tip of Logroño’s Parque Felipe VI, the project by Konstantin Grcir (see more here) encloses three circular structures: a round basketball court, a ring of drums, and a circular array of swings. Each arena invites young and old to gather and engage in a collective activity. It boosts visitors to ‘be active,’ as mentioned by the designer. ‘The flags are the Concéntrico blue. We wanted to associate the installation to the event, but also to give it a festive touch,’ comments Konstantin. 

‘Arenas’ consists of three circular structures

concéntrico is the international architecture and design festival of logroño, spain, that proposes to reflect on the urban environment and the city. founded by architect, curator and researcher javier peña ibáñez, the festival invites visitors to explore the city through installations, encounters, activities, and exhibitions that discuss public space and places of coexistence with a focus on the sustainability of materials and processes.

name: Concéntrico 08 Festival

curator: Javier Peña Ibáñez

designers: ‘Hiber Space’ by Rintala Eggertsson Architects, ‘Shadows’ by Pawel Grobelny, ‘The archetype of the house’ by Collective X, ‘Half Void Full Moon’ by Piovenefabi, ‘Extra-Ordinary Gate’ by Associates Architecture, ‘House with 4 Palms’ by Tudor Vlăsceanu, ‘Arenas’ by Konstantin Grcic, ‘Dark Sky / Cielo Oscuro’ by Matali Crasset, ‘A table’ by AAA, ‘A la mesa!’ by Ander López Alberdi & Sarai Olabarrieta Morales, ‘100 chairs and 3 urban lounges for Logroño’ by Izaskun Chinchilla, ‘Popular Theatre’ by Yemail Arquitectura, ‘The Urban Seedlings’ by BUDCUD, ‘We Tricked Them with Pretty Flowers’ by TABLEAU, ‘Prior’ by S K U L L studio, ‘Intersect’ by Germane Barnes, ‘Inmersivo’ by Clara Alonso, Marta Basterra, Mikel Aguerrea – ESDIR, ‘De-alienating the home’ by Gonzalo Herrero + Pati Santos, ‘SALONES URBANOS’ by Izaskun Chinchilla Architects

location: Logroño, Spain

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