New Catalonian Institute of Economists Headquarters

Project description by  Roldán + Berengué Architects

We can summarize our work as the result of rescaling the appearance of the project around three fundamentals of architecture: visibility, convertibility and communicability.

A building that creates public space

The plot, occupied during many years by amusement park El Caspolino, is located on the boundary between Gracia and Sarria-Sant Gervasi, neighbourhoods of Barcelona. The new Institute of Economists occupies a narrow plot with a 32 m facade and 380 sqm area at Gal.la Placídia square along Via Augusta. A fragment of the city in transformation.

Grouping and rescaling

The 3,000 sqm program is organized on six floors and two underground levels. By a grouping operation, the building appears as a sequence of boxes that are two storeys high. Functions are divided into spaces of diffusion (auditorium for 150 people and multipurpose room for 100), spaces for training and dean/administration.

Communicability and visibility

Foyer, waiting and circulation areas on different levels are placed along the long facade, looking at the square. Movement and changes in the interior space are the real face of the urban part. With this operation and transparency to the glass facade, the visibility of the institution increases, establishing a dialogue between the square and the city. Moreover, these spaces act as a climate foyer and acoustic pad, protecting the training spaces. At night, the Institute informs the urban environment activating its operational dynamics through selective illumination of the different programmatic zones.

Internal convertibility

The project is a 32x10.5 sqm hall without pillars intended as a Japanese home where textiles and glass partitions allow to adjust the space contents and different capacities. This internal convertibility is also achieved thanks to a regular structure and compact core of vertical communication and services.

Building with glass: shape-energy control

Located on the north facade and topographically higher as the square, the facade will close. Also, withdrawing from the neighbours allows the building to have windows on the interior walls instead of a blind wall. The building envelope is actively involved in the building energy's balance, providing a set of solutions without diminishing interior light, controlling energy demands and ensuring a rational use of air conditioning. Thus, modules will be built in monochrome, white, transparent, translucent or opaque glass, according to program functional requirements.

A modular double skin glass facade with matching south foyers and staircase. A silver steel skeleton divides two glass surfaces and allows movement of air in between. The outer skin is the actual facade of the building and has a translucent silk-screen printing. The inner skin is the living limit and is very tight. This double facade allows a reduction of heat losses through the formation of a heating camera, solar protection, reduction of wind pressure, improved conditions due to better light and air quality.

Boxes within boxes

The entire program is divided into rooms, including waiting areas and circulation and even stairs. Boxes within boxes. Rooms within rooms. The outer glass box houses smaller boxes. Following the principle of a modulated facade, three materials are used for indoor partitions: glass and steel (reflections) and wood. Wood is for main spaces: foyers, stairs, events hall, boards room... The floor paving will accompany these boxes. A 100x15cm ceramic pavement, which rotates as from room to room, recalling the Japanese house.

Text.- Roldán+Berengué arqts