If there is one name that resonates in the polo world for his game, demeanor and contributions, it is Nacho Figueras. Fondly referred to as the ‘David Beckham of Polo,’ he is not only the face of Ralph Lauren’s Black Label but also the owner of the Black Watch Polo Team and a close friend to Prince Harry. If you have been following the sport, irrespective of the part of the world you belong to, Nacho and his game are a staple. I was around 20 years old, far removed from the world of architecture, when I first learned about Figueras Polo Stables, a project funded by Nacho himself. It was always Nacho on horseback who intrigued me. Never did I imagine I would find myself fascinated by his stable and its architecture. Who would have thought, four years later, I would sit down to pen about this polo paradise, designed by Juan Ignacio Ramos and Ignacio Ramos of Estudio Ramos, far away in Argentina?
Located 45 minutes outside Buenos Aires (the capital of Argentina) in the Pampas, the structure mirrors the landscape of the region. “Pampa,” an indigenous term meaning “plain” or “flatland,” perfectly encapsulates the area’s topography. The mild climate and fertile soils make it an ideal location for agriculture. While journeying through the region, one is struck by an overwhelming sense of endless horizontality, akin to gazing upon the sea. The horizon emerges as a dominant feature, reminiscent of the vastness of the ocean. The project, characterised by its pronounced horizontal lines and simple elements, evokes the serene and contemplative atmosphere of the Pampas landscape.
The structure serves as a stable for polo horses, boasting 44 stalls and stretching 600 feet (183 meters) in length. Two elongated volumes and standalone walls are strategically arranged to offer varied spaces and experiences. “Our aim was to design these stables as the space that contains and nurtures this relationship,” say Juan Ignacio Ramos and Ignacio Ramos. It is a place apt for a respite from the cluttered world.
There are hundreds of stables across the globe, but only a few champion the relationship between man, horse and nature the way this does. The floor plan comprises two distinct sections, each serving a specific purpose. One area is designed for social activities and offers panoramic views of the polo field, while the other, situated towards the rear of the property, houses work facilities and the grooms’ quarters.
The construction is elusive, the building appears almost sunken into the earth. The sections facing the field are partly concealed by extended walls and large planted earth berms, ensuring privacy for the stables and minimising the building’s visual impact on the landscape. This design ensures that only the central portion of the building is revealed at any given time.
Adjacent to the covered exterior terraces and the tack room, a spacious pond is positioned. Water, symbolising life universally, serves to unify and define these areas, fostering a serene atmosphere. The roofs were adorned with untamed native grasses, intentionally contrasting the flawless turf of the polo field.
The berms’ function both as pathways to the roof and as organic seating areas for spectators to enjoy polo matches. Positioned strategically at the heart of the floor plan, a spiral concrete staircase serves as both a practical access point to the roof and a striking sculptural feature. Two primary materials were used in the building’s construction: exposed concrete and local hardwoods. These materials were selected for their aesthetic appeal, ease of maintenance, and graceful aging process.
It’s not every day that one gets to create a space where one loses themselves to nature, and to do so on this scale comes once in a lifetime.
FACT FILE:
Project Name: Figueras Polo Stables
Building Area: 3,850 sq. m.
Location: Argentina
Firm: Estudio Ramos
Principle Architects: Juan Ignacio Ramos & Ignacio Ramos
Photography: Daniela Mac Adden and Matias Lix Klett