Why go
See the building from the waterfront to pick out its rounded end, flat roofs and long bands of glazing. José Manuel Aizpurúa and Joaquín Labayen designed it around open interior spaces and views across the bay, giving a maritime club an unusually clear architectural expression.
The full story
The Real Club Náutico stands west of San Sebastián's town hall, facing La Concha Bay. Architects José Manuel Aizpurúa and Joaquín Labayen designed a building whose flat-roofed volumes step back above the shore. Columns support parts of the structure, while a rounded end and long horizontal windows bring to mind the streamlined forms of a vessel. The design incorporated an older club building; its dark timber can be distinguished against the newer white surfaces. Inside, the architects sought connected rooms and views rather than a sequence of closed chambers. Glazing and a covered terrace continued that visual link toward the bay. These choices make the exterior more than a decorative waterfront facade: the building's shape reflects how members were meant to see and use its coastal setting. Public access should be checked independently before planning an interior visit.