Cateto Club Marbella, Spain Alejandro Cateto

09 Apr 2026

An experimental reinterpretation of 1960s Costa del Sol club culture

Cateto Club is an interior design project by Alejandro Cateto (Cateto Cateto), inside Marbella Design and Art 2026. The project reinterprets the club culture of the Costa del Sol in the 1960s through a contemporary architectural approach. Drawing on historical references and local context, it explores form, light, and material as primary design tools, while addressing themes of leisure, memory, and transformation.

As its starting point, Cateto Club takes the nightlife and leisure culture of the Costa del Sol during the 1960s, a period associated with the so-called Estilo del Relax. During this time, the region became an international destination where figures such as Frank Sinatra and Brigitte Bardot were part of the social scene.

The project references this historical context without relying on nostalgia. It establishes a dialogue between past and present, positioning itself between the imagery of mid-century coastal clubs and contemporary nightlife environments.

The spatial concept is structured around a single formal gesture: the cylinder. This geometry is developed at multiple scales and functions throughout the project. It appears as a void in seating areas, as a solid mass in the bar and stools, and as a repeated pattern in the ceramic flooring. It is also expressed in architectural elements such as doors and thresholds, as well as in the custom-designed Sentry Sculpture Light by Ewan Lamm for Ultramar Studio.

This approach results in a consistent spatial language in which form, colour, and light define the experience. Decorative elements are minimised in favour of architectural expression.

The project draws on the work of Mario Bellini and Verner Panton, particularly in relation to the use of colour, geometry, and immersive environments. It also incorporates references to local architectural landmarks, including the Aqua-Tec diving club in Fuengirola, the brutalist towers of Torremolinos, and the Ciudad Sindical de Vacaciones Tiempo Libre in Marbella.

Lighting plays a central role in the project. The selection includes iconic pieces such as the Panthella lamp by Louis Poulsen, the Nesso by Artemide, and the Gambosa by Marset.

The main entrance is defined by a circular door measuring three metres in diameter. This element references the concept of “I am a monument” described by Robert Venturi and recalls the expressive entrance façades of nightclubs along the N-340 in Montemar, Torremolinos, Costa del Sol.

The project incorporates rough finishes and visible textures as part of its material strategy. These elements are informed by construction methods typical of the period, including techniques such as gotelé and whitewashed surfaces. Rather than being treated as imperfections, these features are used intentionally to reflect vernacular building traditions and to introduce a tactile dimension to the space.

Cateto Club includes an artistic installation by interior landscaper Charo Benitez in collaboration with Alejandro Cateto. The installation addresses the current condition of several 1960s leisure structures along the Costa del Sol, many of which are now abandoned.

Through the introduction of vegetation, including gerberas and sunflowers, the installation reflects processes of natural reclamation. It also raises questions about preservation, decay, and the potential for reuse.

Cateto Club combines architectural form, historical references, and material exploration to reinterpret a specific moment in the cultural history of the Costa del Sol. Inside Marbella Design and Art 2026, the project examines how past leisure environments can inform contemporary spatial practices.