Interpretation Center

The landscape of the Bardenas Reales is, in itself, the inspiration for the project. Millions of years of erosion have sculpted a landscape of hilltops, clays, and strata that, layer by layer, tells the geological history of the place. That duality between the material that remains—conglomerates, sandstones, and limestones—and the material that disappears—the soft clays that time gradually erodes—was directly translated into the building’s materials and form.

The walls, horizontal and continuous, are constructed of ceramic tiles and lime mortar mixed with local aggregates, evoking layers of clay. The flat, green, concrete roof rests upon them with the weight and solidity of a hilltop. A chimney breaks the horizontal line of the structure in the same way that Castildetierra breaks the flatness of the Bardena: as a vertical landmark and iconic element.

The building is organized around three courtyards, each with a distinct character: one to the north, which is the most prominent and connects the offices and the multipurpose room for 60 people; one to the west, designed for low water consumption; and one to the south, featuring a botanical garden, conceived as a welcoming and gathering space. The layout is designed to provide expansive views, both outward and through the building itself.

The development at the eastern end of Carcastillo aims to create a harmonious transition between the town center and the natural landscape, with the town center serving as a bridge between these two worlds.