Frontón Beti Jai

„Fronton Beti Jai“ is a proposal for reactivating abandoned places in cities with great potential for city densification.

In the second half of the 19th century, the program of city extension began in Madrid with the plans by Carlos Maria de Castro. Demographic explosion and the industrial revolution prompted the tearing down of the old city wall and the construction of neighborhoods under grid plans. For the first time, a new housing typology appeared. The block perimeter development. Strong immigration, also from the northern regions of Spain, left its mark. At the end of the 19th century the Basques distributed a new type of sport called Pelota. The basic principle is to fling a ball against a wall alternately by only touching the floor once. Initially played against church walls a pelota court called „Frontón“ occurred. It is composed of three side walls and facing spectator ranks. In one of Castros created parcels can still be found a „Frontón“ today with its name „Beti Jai“. Opened in 1894, its popularity lasted only a few years. Between 1897 and 1916 it was mainly used for social and political interests. Ever since this site consistently adapted new functions. However, they never lasted long. What remains is an architectural landmark that has fallen in oblivion and which suffers from neglect. My idea is to create another block in a block by recognizing the potential space in front of the existing firewalls, setting up its entrances and thoroughfares, as well as defining the outer space. Finally I set up two building measures. A narrow building slab on the eastern side, which accommodates housing as well as public facilities and light structured market boxes on the western side which fill up the existing gap between the grandstand and the block perimeter development. The building slab gives the grandstand a new face to face situation and creates an immediate dialogue between the volumes. The former spectator terraces become a new function by defining a kind of promenade for the market visitors and creating a circular tour through the building to encourage visitors to linger and interact.