Gastronomy Open Ecosystem

A Flexible System — The food labs and offices are designed to offer maximum flexibility, with open classrooms, laboratories and kitchens that can be rearranged for different purposes due to the generous height and width of the spaces.

The City and the Sea — In a gentle nod to the sculptures of Eduardo Chillida in San Sebastian, a series of terraced and recessed shop windows towards north expose the activities inside the building's kitchens and labels which will have views of the Cantabrian Sea and the mountains.

The Site — Wedged between the edge of San Sebastian and Mount ulia, GOe is situated in a terrain with a 10-meter height difference. The new building rises from the ground floor, utilizing the height difference to preserve and enhance the existing park qualities at the site.

A Home for Culinary and Social Innovation — Gastronomy Open Ecosystem (GOe) for the Basque Culinary Center at the heart of San Sebastian bridges science, gastronomy and nature to promote culinary research, innovation and enjoyment.

Program Organization — Starting from the modularity of an optimal kitchen BIG configured the new GOe and its programs as a grid - the façade is carried to the roof extending the landscape and the many public spaces and exterior programs in a continuous motion.

Park, Terraces & Views — The building's continuous roofscape, offers different programs - such as orchards, restaurant, terraces and a landscape auditorium for outdoor events - that allow daily users and visitors to experience nature as well as the activities and creativity of GOe.

The Backbone of GOe — The Gastro Hall is the backbone of the GOe, running from the entrance all the way to the roof. Like a promenade, the grand staircase connects all programs and levels in the building and doubles as seating for events with views into the showcase kitchens and ongoing research.

The Plaza & Camino de Santiago — The new Gastronomy Ecosystem waves and recesses at ground level to create a sheltered plaza at the stairs of the ancient pilgrimage route Camio de Santiago, welcoming the pilgrims of the Camino, the citizens of Donostia and food lovers from all over the world.