The building is strategically aligned with the existing pine forest, respecting the vegetation while taking advantage of the site’s topography for an efficient layout. This layout creates an upper terrace with views of the Collserola and Montserrat mountain ranges, while ensuring optimal natural lighting and ventilation inside.
The design is organized around a central band, called the atrium-patio, which connects all the building’s floors. This space not only acts as a hub for interaction, work, and meeting, but also provides natural light through a roof of skylights.
The ground floor houses seminars, classrooms, and administrative offices, while the academic departments will be distributed on different upper levels to enhance the functionality of the complex. The underground floors house the parking lot, logistics areas, and the animal facility.
Flexibility was a key criterion in the building’s design. To achieve this, a structure based on flat panels with optimized column spacing—every 7.5 and 15 meters—was chosen, allowing the different programmatic areas to be easily accommodated and adapted to future needs.
Arquitectura Viva, june 2025