Salinas del Rey Water Sports Center by DEB + El Equipo Mazzanti

A Coastal Landmark for Sports, Culture, and Sustainability in Juan de Acosta

Location: Juan de Acosta, Colombia Architects: DEB + El Equipo Mazzanti Lead Architects: Francisco Ricardo Marino, Catherine Jessurum, Giancarlo Mazzanti Area: 2,190 m² Year: 2022 Photography: Monica Barreneche, Sebastian Franco Manufacturers: Eternit, Serye

 Merging Architecture with the Rhythm of the Sea

Located along Colombia’s vibrant Caribbean coastline, the Salinas del Rey Water Sports Center by DEB and El Equipo Mazzanti redefines the relationship between architecture, landscape, and sport. Recognized as one of the world’s best kitesurfing destinations, the beaches of Salinas del Rey offer exceptional wind and wave conditions. This architectural project enhances that natural advantage through a design that harmonizes with the topography while celebrating local culture, tourism, and sustainability.

The water sports complex responds to the growing demand for high-quality recreational facilities in the region. It provides infrastructure not only for kitesurfing enthusiasts but also for visitors seeking leisure, gastronomy, and connection with the coastal landscape.

Concept and Design: A Dune Transformed into Architecture

The architectural concept takes inspiration from the natural formation of sand dunes. These dunes, shaped by the coastal winds, become both metaphor and model for the building’s organic form. The main structure emerges as an abstract dune — a large, elevated canopy of sand that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

This natural integration allows the building to function as an environmentally responsive shelter, improving thermal comfort and reducing the need for mechanical cooling. The flowing geometry also creates a sculptural profile that appears to rise and fall with the rhythm of the coast.

Spatial Organization: Three Layers of Coastal Experience

The project is organized into three primary components, each serving a distinct function while maintaining a cohesive architectural language:

1. Dune Landscapes and Natural Barriers

The first layer comprises landscaped dunes that shield the complex from strong northwestern winds. These sculpted forms not only protect the structures but also serve as natural filters that preserve the integrity of the beach. They incorporate native vegetation and walking paths made from local materials, creating shaded corridors and gathering spaces for visitors.

2. Main Building as a Sand Canopy

At the heart of the project lies the main building, which functions as both a sports hub and cultural pavilion. Beneath its undulating wooden roof, interior spaces accommodate training areas, administrative offices, and multipurpose rooms. The architecture emphasizes thermal performance, using the dune-inspired form to create natural air circulation and shaded interior environments.

3. Boardwalk and Public Connection

A winding wooden boardwalk connects the facility to the beach, acting as the main pedestrian artery. Elevated above the ground, it protects the site from flooding and erosion while offering panoramic views of the coastline. This pathway also links the parking zones with the recreational areas, reinforcing accessibility and continuity across the site.

Materiality: Crafting with Nature

Wood is the primary material defining the project’s visual and tactile identity. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to the curved surfaces of the dune structure, while its natural tones complement the coastal palette of sand and vegetation. The use of local and sustainable materials reduces environmental impact and echoes the architects’ commitment to ecological construction.

Other materials, such as Eternit panels and Serye finishes, contribute to the building’s resilience in a marine environment, ensuring durability against humidity, wind, and salt exposure.

Cultural Integration and Ecological Vision

Beyond its architectural expression, the Salinas del Rey Water Sports Center serves as a catalyst for local economic growth and community identity. By integrating spaces for commerce, gastronomy, and recreation, it strengthens the link between tourism and local entrepreneurship. The introduction of a vegetation barrier made of native species protects the public beach area from excessive urbanization, ensuring that the coastline remains accessible and ecologically balanced.

The project’s landscape strategy emphasizes environmental stewardship, fostering a sustainable relationship between human activity and natural systems.

 Architecture in Motion

The Salinas del Rey Water Sports Center is more than a sports complex — it is a living landscape, shaped by wind, sand, and human movement. DEB and El Equipo Mazzanti’s design transforms environmental conditions into architectural form, creating a space where culture, nature, and recreation coexist harmoniously.

Through its innovative use of organic design, sustainable materials, and ecological integration, this project stands as a model for future coastal architecture in Latin America, where the built environment becomes a continuation of the natural world.

All photographs are works of Monica Barreneche, Sebastian Franco