New Interdepartmental Building at the UIB Campus, Palma de Mallorca
1st PRIZE Competition

The project approach aims to add value to the exterior space of the new building environment, with different types of spaces qualified for different activities, and with a wealth of relationships in fluid spaces , improving the mobility.

There is an attitude of environmental concern from the first approaches, an attitude of respect towards the place, a place with its own identity, with Mediterranean light and vegetation. The occupation of the site will be the same as the current construction. From the existing paths, there is a natural access to the center, forming part of the usual route of the Campus; walk, rest, understand from the access the place and the building. The aim is to enhance existing routes and resolve access to the new center and the existing Beatriu de Pinós with a porch-like space at the same time, without hindering the circulation of the Campus.

The Building strictly complies with the Urban Plan of the UIB campus in its volume, position on the site and computable surfaces. Compliance with the specific regulations of the site defines the mandatory gauges in the fit of the relationship of the building with the Beatriu de Pinós and the topography.

A compact volumetry of three floors is proposed in the perpendicular line that defines the neighboring building Beatriu de Pinós. The accesses take place from the ends of the new building. The porch on the corner allows access to the two centers to be unified without the need to access either one. The most public program, which can serve the entire Campus (bank and bookstore), is established in this sheltered space and past the porch.

In order to flexibly assume both the internal distribution of uses and the urban role within the teaching complex, the building that groups classrooms, laboratories and offices takes the form of a regular, compact and neutral prism. The resulting volumetry finds in this approach the identifying feature.

A light, compact, flexible, efficient and economical building.

We understand the building as an autonomous energy saving and decentralizing system of local energy distribution (smart grid). Passive and Simple systems are promoted. A low-tech building is projected, which achieves high environmental efficiency Based on strategies to decrease energy demand and the use of economic structural and construction systems.