Project: Marine Research Centre Vigo
Location: Vigo, Spain
Year: 2023
Client: University of Vigo
Surface: 3.000 m2
Status: Competition Entry
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Marine Reasearch Centre
The Marine Research Centre Vigo is set to establish a cutting-edge facility within the rehabilitated Siemens Building, a project that carefully balances historical preservation with modern scientific needs. The design aims to maintain the building’s original architectural features while introducing an autonomous technological structure at its core. This new volume creates a central atrium, which serves as both a circulation hub and a rest area for researchers and visitors. The intervention harmonizes with the surrounding urban landscape and green areas, seamlessly integrating with the nearby Faraday Building to create a unified research complex.
A key urban objective of the Marine Research Centre Vigo project is to promote unobstructed circulation around the building, enhancing accessibility and ensuring security during nighttime hours. By maintaining the main pedestrian access from the historic Plaza de Armas, the center preserves its connection to the city’s cultural legacy. This thoughtful approach respects the building’s historical importance, allowing it to remain a familiar landmark while adapting to the functional needs of a modern research institution. Additionally, a loading and unloading area on the north facade supports the practical needs of the research facility, with options for deliveries from all sides due to a 4-meter buffer from the landscaped slope.
Architecturally, the Marine Research Centre Vigo combines glazed and solid surfaces on its facade, achieving an effective balance between solar protection and natural views. This careful combination ensures that the building remains energy efficient while providing researchers with unobstructed views of the surroundings, creating a pleasant and productive work environment. Reinforced concrete cores and metal pillars form the structural backbone, enabling large open spaces within the building. This open-plan layout is essential for a research center, allowing for versatile laboratory spaces and collaborative areas that foster interdisciplinary work and innovation.
A defining feature of the Marine Research Centre Vigo is its green roof, an eco-friendly addition designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce the building’s environmental footprint. This green roof not only enhances insulation but also integrates the structure into its natural surroundings, supporting biodiversity and contributing to a healthier urban environment. This sustainable element aligns with the center’s mission to study and protect marine ecosystems, reinforcing a commitment to environmental responsibility.
The modular design of the Marine Research Centre Vigo is central to its functionality, offering flexibility in the layout of laboratories and workspaces. This modularity allows for quick and economical adjustments in workstation arrangements, accommodating changes in research focus or project requirements without disrupting adjacent activities. This adaptability is vital for a research center dedicated to marine science, as it enables the facility to remain responsive to new scientific challenges and advances. By facilitating easy reconfiguration, the building ensures that the research center can evolve with the field, maintaining its relevance and functionality over time.
The Marine Research Centre Vigo not only serves as a base for marine science research but also as a space that fosters collaboration and community engagement. The central atrium acts as a social and professional hub, encouraging interaction among researchers, students, and visiting scholars. This open space promotes knowledge sharing and interdisciplinary cooperation, which are essential in addressing the complex issues related to marine ecosystems and environmental sustainability.
In line with its focus on marine research, the Marine Research Centre Vigo is designed to support advanced technological needs. The laboratories are equipped with the latest marine science technology, enabling comprehensive studies on marine biodiversity, oceanography, and environmental impact. These facilities will help researchers explore the unique marine environments of Galicia and contribute to global efforts in understanding and preserving the oceans. With its advanced infrastructure, the center positions Vigo as a leader in marine science, attracting researchers from around the world.
The Marine Research Centre Vigo also prioritizes sustainability, both in its construction and operational practices. The green roof and energy-efficient facade exemplify this commitment, helping to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Sustainable water management systems and waste reduction initiatives further support the center’s dedication to environmental stewardship. By setting a standard for eco-friendly design, the center underscores the importance of sustainable research practices, reflecting its role in advancing marine conservation.
In conclusion, the Marine Research Centre Vigo in the rehabilitated Siemens Building represents a significant step forward for marine research in Galicia. By blending historical preservation with modern functionality, the project honors the past while looking toward the future. The center’s flexible and sustainable design ensures that it can adapt to the evolving demands of marine science, making it a valuable asset for the region and beyond. As a hub for innovation and collaboration, the Marine Research Centre Vigo will play a crucial role in studying and protecting marine ecosystems, embodying a commitment to science, sustainability, and community integration.
Project: Marine Research Centre Vigo
Location: Vigo, Spain
Year: 2023
Client: University of Vigo
Surface: 3.000 m2
Status: Competition Entry
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Marine Reasearch Centre
The Siemens Building rehabilitation project aims to maintain its original design while introducing an autonomous technological volume in its central space, creating an atrium for circulation and rest areas. The intervention respects the urban design and green areas of the surroundings, harmoniously integrating with the Faraday Building.
The urban objective is to facilitate free circulation around the building, avoiding obstructions and ensuring nighttime security. The main pedestrian access is maintained from the Plaza de Armas, preserving its historical connection. The proposal includes a loading and unloading area on the north façade and the possibility of deliveries on all fronts due to the 4-meter separation from the vegetated slope.
Architecturally, the building combines glazed and solid surfaces on its façade to provide effective solar protection and unobstructed views. The structure includes reinforced concrete cores and metal pillars, allowing for large open spaces. Additionally, a green roof is proposed to improve energy efficiency.
The building’s modular design facilitates flexible planning of the laboratories, allowing quick and economical changes in the arrangement of workstations without disrupting adjacent activities.