Admiral Backstage

First phase of the refurbishment of the Almirante hotel in Alicante

The project and construction of the backstage of the Almirante hotel located in San Juan beach, Alicante is one of those opportunities that the architectural profession gives us to learn the needs required by a large multiservice company of “leisure and pleasure”.

Client: Hotel Almirante
Surface area: 344 m2
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2023
Location: Alicante, Spain

In the field of hotel projects, it is common to work in close collaboration with the hotel manager and the different department heads, covering areas such as catering, rooms, cleaning and maintenance, among others. All of this is carried out with the objective of creating spaces that meet the expectations and comforts of the hotel’s common client. However, in this particular case, the recipients of the renovation project were the hotel workers themselves, which added a unique and significant dimension to the development of the work.

The renovation project of the Hotel Almirante backstage resulted in the creation of a high quality space designed to house storage, service areas, punching areas, cataloging and rest areas for the hotel staff. An environment where the workers themselves were the protagonists was designed, which made a substantial difference in the approach to the design and execution of the work.

The central concept of the renovation revolves around two contrasting but complementary elements: a pre-existing, vertical and naturally lit void, and a horizontal mass of raw steel that compresses and expands, acting as a volume that captures light and organizes the various uses and objects that previously lacked a defined space. The void represents the final reference point where all the circulations of the project converge, being a dynamic space influenced by time and constant change.

In contrast, the raw steel artifact remains static and solid next to this void, emphasizing its presence and weight in the environment.

Problem
The storage of objects in the routes makes it difficult to enjoy them as places to work and meet.

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Proposal
Qualify the routes. On the one hand, generating a storage amoeba that gives rise to new and more orderly circulations and, on the other, giving prominence to the central triangle with new stairs and zenithal light.

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This artifact is a “rare” object, a toolbox used by the staff to store tools, kitchenware, tools and even uniforms. It also serves as a storage area, a punching area, a reception area, a wastebasket, a fountain and a storage area for tables. It is an architectural piece where each of the needs of the hotel were studied in detail through the resolution of questions such as how long is the uniform of a chef, what is the size of each of the sizes of tablecloths once folded, how many tablecloths can be folded and how many circular tabletops can be folded? Or how many circular tabletops can you store in a 3 m2 warehouse? All of these have a place in the artifact of this project.

On the other hand, the void is presented as an elegant ascent towards the natural light of Alicante’s surroundings. The incorporation of
triangulated IPES structures during the renovation allowed the space to be enclosed from the roof, creating a translucent skin that filters light in a soft and attractive way.

In addition, a light and stylized staircase was designed using micro-perforated folded sheet metal, which becomes a prominent visual element that guides workers to their private space in the refurbishment, representing access to the exclusive world of the hotel.

Raw steel is the undisputed protagonist of the project.
It appears as a heavy and imperishable material at times, while at others it is a light and filtering material, capable of filtering the light as it descends.

A material that turns into suspenders capable of sounding like a stringed instrument and of protecting and resisting the cantilevered structure of the Backstage of the Almirante Hotel.

This project and backstage work at the Hotel Almirante in Alicante is an outstanding example of how architecture can adapt and meet the specific needs of a complex business environment, while creating functional and aesthetically appealing spaces for those who use it on a daily basis.