‘non program pavilion’ by jesus torres garcia architectes, salobreña, spainimage © jesus torres garciaall images courtesy of jesus torres garcia architectes
‘how to build in a natural landscape?’
the phrase, based on the late niemeyer’s approach to design, drove the entire concept behind the ‘non program pavilion’ in the extraordinary mediterranean terrain of southern spain. designed by paris-based spanish practice jesus torres garcia architectes, the project is considered as the result of two important factors: the relationship between the form and landscape, and the connection of the structure to the ground. the gentle curving footprint sprouted in response to the natural contours of the land, as the entire structure is supported by an anvil-like foundation that embeds itself into the ground in only one point, minimizing the impact on the ground. all the elements that make up the space and the construction are conceived as an extension of the natural context, rather than an intervention. the wrapping large glass facade reflects the surrounding views lending to a perceived transparency from afar, at night the interior activities glow through the space to the external world. the concrete shear wall and roof system benefit from passive thermal mass heating that can be very effective in the hot climate, while the reflective window helps to control solar gain.
as the pavilion itself has no predetermined program, part of the challenge was to design a space that would accommodate almost any activity and size of group. complete with a small office, the generally rounded square shape of the main room can easily be used for school excursions, meetings, concerts, exhibitions or nearly any other function, while the building itself exists as an educational tool exhibiting the integrated sustainable features in contemporary design.
video © jesus torres garcia architectes
wood and glass envelopeimage © jesus torres garcia
fluid wall formsimage © jesus torres garcia
voids embedded into the outer envelope as natural shadingimage © jesus torres garcia
glass facade reflects sun while offering viewsimage © jesus torres garcia
structure disappears in the environmentimage © jesus torres garcia
image © jesus torres garcia
image © jesus torres garcia
adaptation of the exterior skin throughout the dayimage © jesus torres garcia
vertical wooden planks wrap the side of the structureimage © jesus torres garcia
image © jesus torres garcia
(left) reflected landscape(right) entryimage © jesus torres garcia
entry sequenceimage © jesus torres garcia
concrete shear walls define the spaces and circulationimage © jesus torres garcia
image © jesus torres garcia
image © jesus torres garcia
panoramic view of the exteriorimage © jesus torres garcia
image © jesus torres garcia
interior glows at nightimage © jesus torres garcia
site plan
floor plan / level 0
floor plan / detail
section
section
structural diagram / porosity
ventilation diagram
acoustical diagram
sketch
project info:
team: jesús torres garcía, architect . laura gonzález romero, architect . alba márquez cañas, student . juan diego guarderas garcía · quantity surveyorarea: 263 m2budget: 283.000 eurosphotography: jesús torres garcía.
Mar 12, 2026
Mar 11, 2026
Feb 24, 2026