China Team Americas Cup Nautical Base, Valencia, Spain

“ The Pepica effect ”
Natural air-conditioning and double skin on ETFE facade. Sailing base for the America’s Cup China team, — offices, workshops, boat hanger, restaurants, terrace with a panoramic view, and lounge.

Program	Base for the China Team for the 2007 Americas Cup
Site	Valencia, Spain
Floor Area	3 500sqm / 37 670sqft
Cost of construction	€ 0 (zero) / $ 0 (zero)
Timetable	Completed 2007
Project Owner	China Team / Le Defi

An analysis of the site and of the climate determined a building that only used natural ventilation and spray for cooling during the hot summer. The base constructed harked back to traditional architecture for seaside construction in this region, which relies on thermal breezes as a natural cooling system. The facades were made from PTFE and ETFE while a red canvass structure straddled the building, creating the shape of a massive dragon.