Paseo de la Pineda

When the Vila-Seca town council commissioned this promenade, most such things consisted of putting a barrier between the beach and the town, normally a linear wall with a balustrade that raised the promenade a couple of metres above the sand. So, our aim was to break with this corseted approach. On the one hand we had to erase, or at least blur, the boundary between town and beach, and on the other, to work with organic, sinuous shapes, suited to the sea-front vocabulary. To eliminate the wall we made a long, transparent bench, and a cascade of steps so that you can gradually approach the beach. As a complement, little islands were created with beach-bars, rest areas, sculptural landmarks, etc. We designed all the street furniture in its entirety: showers whose presence is advertised by waving metal flags (which are already askew, the sand always ends up tilting them); paving that incorporates maritime motifs and a street lamp inspired by a tree, with branches bearing luminous fruit. We also designed the Pineda Drink area, a promenade with bars, bar terraces and shops. Vila-seca’s foresight in reserving a broad strip of the sea-front for public use has avoided the vile speculation that has blighted other coastal places. Now the whole town has come out on top, and so has tourism, showing how planning can improve a town.