a colorful mast emerges from sand dunes as concéntrico brings a temporary beach to logroño
By thomai tsimpou I designboom
In Plaza del Mercado, Logroño, Spain, directly in front of the Co-Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda, CENTRAL and photographer Maxime Delvaux present Architecture for Ritual, one of the temporary installations created specially for Concéntrico Festival 2026.
A large dune of sand and a colorful timber mast compose the project, which introduces a temporary beach-like landscape to the city center, encouraging residents and visitors to occupy and interact with the square in unexpected ways. Developed through the duo’s investigation into Logroño’s architecture, the installation is enclosed by a low perimeter wall that references the traces of Logroño’s former fortifications, introducing an informal place to sit and gather.
During the festival, running until June 23rd, 2026, the sandy intervention becomes an active social landscape. Children climb the dune and play across its surface, while visitors stop to take photographs in front of the brightly colored mast. Others occupy the perimeter benches, turning the installation into an everyday meeting point. Positioned against the stone facade of the cathedral, the project introduces an unexpected burst of color and material contrast to the historic square.
A tall mast assembled from painted timber planks in the colors of Logroño stands in the center of the installation by the Brussels-based practice CENTRAL and architecture photographer Maxime Delvaux. Visitors can insert handwritten notes containing wishes, intentions, and reflections into openings within the mast, allowing the project to accumulate traces of collective participation throughout the week.
Architecture for Ritual culminates on June 23rd, the final day of Concéntrico 2026 and the eve of St. John’s Day, when the installation becomes part of a communal celebration. A large carpet of sand protects the stone paving of the square while the mast takes on a ceremonial role, acting as the base for a communal fire. The messages collected throughout the week are burned as part of the event, connecting the temporary installation to a longstanding local tradition.
CENTRAL and Maxime Delvaux explore how architecture can support collective rituals and everyday encounters, by introducing a temporary beach into the heart of Logroño and encouraging participation across generations. Architecture for Ritual demonstrates how an ephemeral and simple intervention can alter the atmosphere and use of public space, activating the historic square through shared experiences.
the circular perimeter bench references the outline of Logroño’s historic fortifications | image by Josema Cutillas
Architecture for Ritual occupies the forecourt of Santa María de la Redonda in Logroño | image by Josema Cutillas
the temporary intervention transforms the square into a sandy landscape for play and gathering | image by Sara Cuerdo
painted timber planks form a vertical landmark at the center of the installation | image by Josema Cutillas
painted timber planks form a mast inspired by the colors of logroño | image © designboom
visitors gather around the dune as the installation becomes part of everyday life in the square | image © designboom
children interact with the sand dune beneath the colorful mast | image © designboom
workers fill plaza del mercado with sand as architecture for ritual takes shape | image © designboom
the colorful mast gradually emerges from the sand | image © designboom
Architecture for Ritual culminates on June 23rd | image by Sara Cuerdo
workers fill Plaza del Mercado with sand | image by Sara Cuerdo
architects: CENTRAL | @central.architecture.urbanism + Maxime Delvaux | @maxdelv
location: Plaza del Mercado, Logroño, Spain
festival: Concéntrico 2026 | @concentricofestival
This article was originally published by Designboom.