martin lejarraga: cruise terminal extension, cartagena

in the port of cartagena, spain, a cruise terminal extension by spanish architect martin lejarraga gives awaiting passengers an open-air pavilion with panoramas of the sea. transparent enclosures allow views towards the ocean with connections to the terminal, acting as a door to the city’s monuments including a roman theater, isaac peral submarine, castle, wall and panoramic lift. visitors may stroll, play and enjoy the public space under a protective roof. the top surface serves as a canvas, featuring a mosaic of ceramic tiles with a seabed image which may be viewed from the decks of the docked ships.

pavilion for cruise passengers
image © david frutos (also main image)

beneath the shading canopy, benches wrap the circular rooms to form seating for a classroom, with graphics of schools of fish imprinted on the glass walls. thin pillars define clusters of spaces shielded from the sun including a tourist area and port authority. marquees and temporary elements may be displayed along the esplanade.

sheltered public space
image © david frutos

sea classroom
image © david frutos

thin pillars support a concrete roof
image © david frutos

mosaic roof is viewed from the decks of docked cruise ships
image © david frutos

view of pavilion from the cruise ship
image © david frutos

view from deck
image © david frutos

side elevation
image © david frutos

at dusk
image © david frutos

at night
image © david frutos

site plan

floor plan / level 0

roof plan

floor plan / level 0

roof plan

section

section

elevation

plans and elevations of rooms

roof mosaic diagram

concept diagram

project info:

location: cruise terminal, port of cartagena
client: port authority
architect: martin lejarraga
architectural office: martin lejarraga
engineers: juan cebrián, martín jaúregui
collaborators: mar melgarejo, julián lloret, beatriz cascales, javier poveda, claudia montoya
structural engineer: typsa
general constructor: pavasal
photographs: david frutos
built-up area: 11.074 m2
start of planning: 2011
completion: 2012
building costs: 1.630.000 EUR