Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

RECTOR OFFICE AT UNIVERSITY CAMPUS . VIGO

Miralles Tagliabue EMBT . photos: © Duccio Malagama

This building is a piece of the University Campus of Vigo, arranged from the master plan done by this office. The building is a rectangle that bows on the back part to adapt itself to the form of the area, following the guidelines of the classroom building.

The façades are composed of concrete whose texture echoes the decomposition of the Mondariz granite hung from the metal profile and oak carpentries in a T form, with the uppermost part of the granite rising over the profile of the roof. The play of concrete and oak continue into the interior, where the geometry of the stairs connect the levels and spaces which are flooded with the light from above.
The building’s program includes the chancellor’s and vice-chancellor’s offices, the press office, the general secretary and other administrative personnel, and meeting rooms arranged in a radial form. Some spaces open to others and all spectacularly frame views through the structure. Natural light penetrates everything.
The main hall is a ramped auditorium that is projected over the larger spaces between the tripartite structure in a T form, whose top wall is in the opposite direction of the stairs and creates an impressive form on the lateral façade.
Our desire to engage in dialogue with the environment is expressed through the choice of materials, particularly granite, which is used for the construction of the outdoor steps, the square’s pavement and the detailing of the mosaic that covers the façades. The exterior surface displays a horizontal division into two areas, one of exposed concrete with a similar texture to that of the stone detailing of the façade and another of Gris Mondariz granite stone with concrete elements whose texture tries to resemble the façade mosaic producing a veneer that is fixed with steel profiles. A further reference to the landscape comes from the choice of oak wood for the floor surfaces and windows frames both interior and exterior.

Project Name: RECTOR OFFICE AT VIGO UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
Date: 2002 – 2006
Location: Vigo, Spain
Client: Universidad de Vigo
Type of project: Direct commission, new construction
Program: Rectorate
Architect: Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue
Miralles Tagliabue EMBT
Project Director: Daniel Rosselló
Project Team: Ll. Corbella, E. Nedelcu, N. Laverde, K. Bonifaz, P. Michaud, P. Sándor Nagy, S. Saraiva, J. Bardelli, S. De Vos, S. Nunes Henriques, C. Vernier, J. Villamil, J. Krüguer, A. Quantrill, R. Patti, D. Mayer, D. Erfeld, E. Farkas, G. Rotelli, J.Williams, J. Scheifele, V. Alfonsi, S. Leone, M. de Gregorio, G. Fascioli.
Construction: Constructora San José
Consultants: Structures: IOC, Nilo Lletjós
Installations: PROISOTEC, Josep Masachs
Technical architects: Manuel Cuquejo Gonzalez, Xosé Rodriguez, Tecnics G3
Building Construction + Safety code: Julio Millara Turienzo
Built Area: 3.600m²
Site Area: 12.000m²