The Swiss based architects Herlach Hartmann Frommenwiler, short HHF have designed a spiral lookout point for a pilgrimage route near Guadalajara in Mexico.
Context:
Ruta Peregrino is a path that goes from Ameca to Talpa de Allende, in the State of Jalisco near Guadalajara, Mexico. During holy week, about 2 million people walk along this pilgrimage path. The municipalities involved wanted to give the pilgrims some permanent service areas and have invited an international team of architects and designers to design the various parts of this project like Shelters and Lookout Points.
Plan
The HHF Lookout Point is designed to be an additional loop in the pilgirmage’s path. Its round shape was developed as a formal anticipation of the peoples movement through the platform, going up to enjoy the great outlook in the surrounding countryside. The asymmetric arched openings provide access to an open hall which is covered by the platform above.
The inner walls are a shifted repetition of the primary facade in four tangential circles, between which the two staircases define a route up to the platform and back down. The only exception to the curved shape is a brick wall with a cross-shaped opening in the most protected part of the building, which serves as an intimate room for resting and prayer.
The Lookout Point is, with exception of the black metal handrail and the brickwall with the cross, entirely built out of cast concrete. To symplify the rather complex basic geometrie and to facilitate its construction, each arc is formed by an identical element of formwork. This frame can be reused as the circles are erected one after another.
Architects: Herlach Haermann Frommenwiler with Alexa den Hartog, Janna Jessen
Client: Secretaria de Turismo, Gobierno de Jalisco
Official project Site: http://rutaperegrino.wordpress.com/
