VAILLO + IRIGARAY ARCHITECTS

The main use of the building is research, that´s way the Project is ruled by maximun flexibility and multi-functionality.

He look is inherent in his intrinsic functionality. It shows up through one enclosure that covers all of its formal determinations. The outer skin traces its internal structures. Due to the reference of BIO- medicine, bio types had been searched to solve the needs of the project.

The camel as a paradigm for functional section: the defense from extreme climate conditions causes the occurrence of bumps as stockpiling ( water, food, fat…)

In the same way,,in this building bumps and hollows are generated were required by the function: with the creation of backpacks with different sizes on the roof ( to hold the multiplicity of facility machines that such a technologic building requires)

The polar bear skin as an example of multifunctionality: The skin must keep a consistent inner temperature of the bear, despite the permanent outdoor cold,

and it achieves it trough a black thick skin, wrapped in holed transparent hair that keeps the air cold inside. The vision we have is of white hair, but it is due to the accumulation, and so it mimes with ice and snow.

The leaf as integration between structural resolution and flexibility: For the design of the perforate steel plates, the third biotype is involved: As well as the leaves of the trees, those huge plates ( 4500x800 mm) and with reduced thickness ( 3mm) have to be self-supporting, light, flexible and keep upright…to that end the mixture of the origami allows the generating of plans, folds and nerves, providing rigidity to the set and taking the required geometry to protecting from sun and allowing the vision.

source: Vaillo + Irigaray Architects