clovisbaronian, the architectural practice co-led by Rice School of Architecture Assistant Professor Georgina Baronian, has been named one of four finalists in an international open call held by Concentrico for the design of an "Urban Climate Island" in Logroño, Spain. The competition, which attracted 252 submissions from 48 countries, aims to create a permanent installation that mitigates the impact of summer heat waves in Park Felipe VI, a public space designed by Ábalos + Sentkiewicz.
Developed in collaboration with Transsolar New York, clovisbaronian’s proposal, A Stone on the Water’s Edge, envisions a climate-responsive pavilion that passively cools its surrounding environment through material intelligence rather than mechanical systems. Functioning as a thermal battery, the structure is composed of two layers of site-cast recycled aggregate concrete, separated by a ventilated cavity that enhances cooling performance. This cavity is sealed during the day to prevent warm air from entering and opened at night through operable vents to release accumulated heat, maximizing radiant cooling effects. The earth from the site itself serves as the formwork for the roof, reducing material waste while leaving behind a sunken grotto along the waterfront.
The environmental strategy of the pavilion capitalizes on Logroño’s significant diurnal temperature shifts and prevailing northwest winds, integrating passive design principles to enhance outdoor comfort during extreme summer heat. Hinged steel fins along the northwest and southeast faces facilitate natural ventilation, allowing visitors to interact with the structure’s thermal performance by manually adjusting the operable covers. This daily transformation offers an educational moment, making the climatic conditions and cooling strategies legible to the public.
Structurally, the pavilion’s roof is constructed through a series of site-cast concrete components, reinforced by a lightweight steel framework. A network of 30cm x 30cm recycled-plastic void formers within the roof cavity optimizes airflow while strategically thickening structural connection points. Steel rebar stitches the separate casts together, enabling the lower slab to act as a tension restraint for the upper structure. At column intersections, a final concrete cast solidifies the assembly, creating a recessed capital that subtly contrasts with the textured surface of the pavilion’s underside.
By merging material efficiency, passive environmental strategies, and public engagement, A Stone on the Water’s Edge exemplifies clovisbaronian’s commitment to innovative and sustainable urban design. The recognition of this proposal as a finalist underscores the firm’s contribution to global climate-responsive architecture.
Further details on the competition and its finalists can be found on Concentrico’s website here.