The Tennis Terraces designed by GRAS Arquitectos is the new home of the Mallorca Women's Tennis Open. Every June, it will bring together the best players in the circle to compete in the world of Mallorca Compete in the level arena.
GRAS Arquitectos designs “Tennis Terraces”, the new headquarters of the Mallorca Open, first tennis tournament to play on grass courts in southern Europe, with the support of the All England Cub, home of the Wimbledon Championships.The tournament, a WTA 250, will bring together every June the best players of the circuit, in order to compete with the best conditions at a Mallorca prime new facility.
▼Project Overview, overview
The new tennis club consists of white concrete cantilevered slabs located on a natural grass field The central location combines the characteristics of a social venue and a tennis court. The project includes a total of 17 professional-level courts, divided into three types: grass, mud and hard courts. Distinct natural qualities define the main design ideas of the project. Depending on the terrain, different courses are arranged in steps on different slopes. The sports hall building, located at the highest point of the site, is conceived as an extension of the "terrace": white concrete slabs form two floating terraces, providing spectacular views over the tennis courts.
White concrete cantilevered slabs define a new tennis club in the middle of the nature that combines a social building together with tennis courts; a total of 17 courts of all surfaces: grass, clay and hard. A Master series facility. The strong natural context defines the concept of the project. The topography of the land demands a terracing strategy in order to place the different courts at different levels following the slope of the hill; The building itself is therefore conceived as a continuation of that terracing: 2 floating terraces, white concrete slabs, overlooking the tennis compound. By positioning the building at the highest point of the land, it works as the last terrace of the project and as a great viewpoint, balcony to the rest of the plot, specially to the Center court, the heart of the project.
▼Exterior view of the new tennis club in the middle of the nature
The central court is the core of the entire project. A series of steps enclose a natural stadium in the mountains, like the 21st century Epidaurus Theater. The "Stadium" building can accommodate up to 1,500 spectators. The steps, built in the traditional way from solid Mares natural stone, blend into the site against the backdrop of lush pasture.
The Center Court is the heart of the project. A series of terraces are carved in the hill to create a natural stone stadium, a sort of “XXI century Greek Epidaurus tennis theatre”. The “stadium” can seat up to 1500 spectators. The Terraces are built with traditional stone masonry, using solid blocks of a Mallorcan natural stone called Mares. A natural scenario combining the stone and the natural grass is created following the context of the site.
▼A series of steps enclose the natural landscape between the mountains. The terraces are built with traditional stone masonry, using solid blocks of a Mallorcan natural stone called Mares
▼Steps detail,terraces detailed view
As well as being used as a social venue, the club building also provides a viewing terrace overlooking the center court. The terrace protrudes towards the court, allowing views from all levels to be seen. Exposed white concrete slabs highlight the landscape to the greatest extent.
The clubhouse is designed not just as a social building, also as a viewing platform to watch the tennis games at the Center Court. The building leans out to the court in order to enjoy views from all floors. White exposed concrete slabs cantilevers are created to maximize those views.
▼2 floating terraces, white concrete slabs, overlooking the tennis compound
▼The terraces protrude towards the court, allowing views from all levels to be seen, the building leans out to the court in order to enjoy views from all floors
The glass-enclosed ground floor space provides visitors with seating and dining areas. The entire facade can be fully opened to form a continuous "in and out" space, allowing users to fully enjoy the terraces, gardens and swimming pools, and be surrounded by tennis courts anytime and anywhere. Behind the lounge are the dressing rooms and service areas. An open steel staircase leads to the multifunctional sports space on the second floor. The entire second floor is surrounded by a projecting terrace that can also be used as a jogging track. The metal mesh on the side of the track can effectively prevent runners from falling.
A fully glazed ground floor welcomes the visitor with a lounge and a restaurant. The whole facade can be opened having a continuous space “in and out” so the user can enjoy the terraces, the gardens and the pool, always surrounded by the tennis courts . At the back of the lounge, the dressing rooms and service areas are located. An open steel staircase leads up to the first floor, an open plan multipurpose room with a balcony around the whole floor. Since the room can also be used as a gym, the balcony offers the possibility to install a jogging circuit around the building. A metallic mesh wraps the whole floor to protect the runners from falling.
▼The first floor public space, ground floor interior view
▼The second floor multi-functional space, the first floor, an open plan multipurpose room with a balcony around the whole floor
▼The balcony surrounding the second floor space can be used as a jogging track, the balcony offers the possibility to install a jogging circuit around the building
The balcony will be slightly slightly towards the center court "Grown larger" to create an extra stand during games. The public can also walk directly to the building’s rooftop to enjoy spectacular views overlooking all arenas and surrounding surroundings.
The balcony “enlarges” when facing Center Court to create an extra wide terrace to seat spectators during the tournament. The full floor works as a terrace overlooking the surrounding tennis courts. In connection with the deck utility of the project, the rooftop is also accessible and can be used by the general public, offering extensive views of all the courts and surroundings.
▼The balcony “enlarges” when facing Center Court to create an extra wide terrace to seat spectators during the tournament
▼General plan, master plan
▼First floor plan, ground floor plan
▼Second floor plan, first floor plan
▼elevation
▼Section A, section A
▼ Surface B, section B
▼Sectional view of the stand, grand stand section
▼grand stand details
Project info:
GRAS arquitectos, Guillermo Reynés, Álvaro Pérez, Mayca Sánchez, Xim Barceló, Laura Purlyté, Marta Wieczorkiewicz and András Papp.
Site: Santa Ponsa, Mallorca, Spain
Year: 2016
Size: 10.000 m2 tennis courts, 1.130 m2 clubhouse
Engineer: Andreu Ortiz
Site Manager: Vicente Juan
Fotos: José Hevia
Builder: EGOS
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