The Pich-Aguilera architectural studio has been in charge of reforming the "Aura Seguros" office building with the aim of modernizing its vision from the street, making the interior spaces more flexible and modern, as well as adapting the building as to adequate the building’s overall to its new needs and accessibility.
The facade proposed by the Pich-Aguilera responds exceptionally to a multiple functionality, climate and formalization conditioners inside the urban context where it’s placed.
 

Description of the project by Pich-Aguilera/Picharchitects

This report is about the integral remodeling of Aura’s insurance company building, located in the urban center of Santa Coloma de Gramenet, inside the metropolitan area of Barcelona.

The project main objectives are the integral remodelling of the current building in order to update and revitalize its image from the street side view, make flexible, optimize and modernize the interior spaces, as so to adequate the building’s overall to its new needs and accessibility. 

The current building had had, throughout his life,numerous alterations, mainly on its underground levels, ground level and attic. The need of providing it with a new customer service forced the appearance of wider spaces, make the accesses easier and supply them with natural zenithal lightning. 

The restoration is based principally on achieving open spaces; improve light conditions, ventilation and natural comfort, with the consequent optimization and improvementof the installations, finishes and the corporative image of the company. 

There are three special remarkable aspects of the architectural ensemble, the building image from its main façade, which dialogues with the local government; the possibility to provide exterior space, place of cohabitation and rest; and as a last point the need to supply lower levels with natural light from a big skylight. 

A new light plane, attached to the main façade of the building, acts as a sieve for the light coming from the outside, protection of the privacy of the work, so as a communication element of the company. 

The façade is mainly composed by a big metal weave that holds numerous light points of Led illumination, with a rhythm and size designed on project and customized with the client specifications. Integrating the light as a main layer that acts as a filter makes the work on the openings and carpentry of the offices like a second, non conditioned by the urban requirements of the surroundings layer, but focused on its own needs. The combination of layers which forms the planes of the cover takes a special significance in the building. 

The contemporary architecture identifies itself more often with the enveloping elements which react to a multiple functionality, climate and formalization conditioners inside the urban context where it’s placed.

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Main team
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Felipe Pich-Aguilera. Teresa Batlle. Margherita Aricó. Jordi Camps. Jordi París. Pau Casaldaliga. Ute Müncehberg. Angel Sendarrubias.

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Specialists
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Angel Sendarrubias, structures. RAC Arquitectura, installations. EnricVijande, measuring, budget and executive management.
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Remodeling surface
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1194,07 m²
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Construction ending
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2016
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Construction company Constructora
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Calaf
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Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes. Founded in 1986 by the architects Felipe Pich-Aguilera Baurier and Teresa Batlle Pagés, it focuses mainly on sustainable architecture projects. The effort, in this sense, has led them to develop planning, promote innovation, research and development projects and delve into aspects related to the sustainability of their buildings, basing their work on the principles of the circular economy and well-being with minimal consumption. Thus, the study not only focuses on the development of projects but also has transversal areas that take care of quality, innovation and sustainability.The current complexity and precision of their work have led them to be one of the first firms to incorporate the BIM model into their projects and the ISO9001 certification.

Since 2010, Picharchitects/Pich-Aguilera has strengthened its international presence by opening an office in Monterrey, Mexico. Since 2022 Picharchitects/Pich-Aguilera reinforces its national presence with a new office in Madrid to expand its area of activity throughout the national territory. The studio has received numerous awards for architecture and environmental innovation. Among the most recent, it is worth highlighting: 2020 First Prize for “Ascer” architecture for the “Research Center of the Hospital de Sant Pau and la Santa Creu”. 2018 Castilla-La Mancha Sustainable Construction Award for the "Leitat Technology Center."

The studio's success lies in its multidisciplinary approach, being composed of a team that encompasses disciplines such as innovation, sustainability, industrialization, and circular economy. This synergy between different areas allows them to tackle projects from a global perspective, ensuring innovative and sustainable solutions.

Felipe Pich-Aguilera Baurier. Doctor architect. Graduated in 1986 by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Speciality in Construction. Member of the Group EASA (European Assembly of Students of Architecture). Participants in the Congresses in Denmark (1984), Greece (1985), and Finland (1987). Founder member of ASF-E, the Association of Architects Without Borders from Spain. Professor of projects and director of the core subject of Sustainability.

Founder Member of the Young Catalan Architects Association (AJAC) and instigator of the activity “Meetings-Dialogue” in the Association. Founder Member of the Superior School of Architecture of the International University of Catalonia ESARQ/UIC. President of the school councils (1996-1999). Fourth-Grade Professor (since 2008). Professor of architecture and sustainability Fourth-Grade. Director of environmental and industrialisation investigation area. Founder Member of the grouping “AuS” (Architecture and Sustainability) grouping integrated into the School of Catalonia Architects.

President GBC (Spanish president of the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment and World Green Building Council), from 2008 to 2017. Director of the Chair of industrialized building and environment (CEIM). Member of the Environment of CEMEX. Since 1996, Felipe gives courses and conferences in workshops and masters in Schools of Architecture and institutions related to sustainability in constructive process and respect for the environment in Catalonia, Spain and worldwide.

Teresa Batlle Pagès. Architect. Graduated in 1989 from the School of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Specialization in services and conditions. Member Group of EASA (European Assembly of Students of Architecture). Attends the Congress of Denmark(1984), Greece (1985), and Finland (1987). Founding member of the Young Architects Association of Catalonia (AJAC). Founding member of the School of Architecture at the International University of Catalonia ESARQ / UIC. Coordinator of Teaching 2nd Cycle Plan (1997-1999). Coordinator of the Professional Council. (1996-1999).

Founding member of the Association AuS, Architecture and Sustainability of the College of Architects of Catalonia. Founding member of the Architecture and Sustainability Association (ASA), driven by the Superior Council of Colleges of Architects of Spain (CSCAE). Member of the Board of the 22 @-network and association of innovative companies with headquarters in the 22 @ Barcelona. Vice President of the association AUS (architecture resources of Catalonia). General Secretary of the association ASA (resources i architecture of Spain). President of the Scientific Committee of ASA. President of the Commission of environment of the association Network22. Coordinator since 1997, round tables and debates on industrialization and the environment.

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Published on: May 15, 2017
Cite: "Integral remodeling of the office building “Aura Seguros” by Pich-Aguilera/Picharchitects" METALOCUS. Accessed
<http://www.metalocus.es/en/news/integral-remodeling-office-building-aura-seguros-pich-aguilerapicharchitects> ISSN 1139-6415
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