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

Architects: VAÍLLO & IRIGARAY
Antonio Vaíllo i Daniel – Juan L. Irigaray Huarte
Structure: OPERA Ingeniería
Facilities: GE ingenieros
Riggers: José Ángel Oteiza – Jorge Visiers
Fachada / Facades: ALTRES
Lattice: Jofebar
Developer: Navarre Health Service
Building contractor: OHL + La Guareña
Project: june 2008
Beginning: august 2009
To work: november 2011
Cost: 18.000.000 €
Surface: 12.150 m²

Biomedical Research Center By VAILLO+IRIGARAY ARCHITECTS - Sheet5He 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.

Biomedical Research Center By VAILLO+IRIGARAY ARCHITECTS - Sheet6The 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)

Biomedical Research Center By VAILLO+IRIGARAY ARCHITECTS - Sheet8The 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.

Biomedical Research Center By VAILLO+IRIGARAY ARCHITECTS - Sheet10The 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 ( 4500×800 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.


VAILLO+IRIGARAY ARCHITECTS

VAILLO+IRIGARAY ARCHITECTS is characterised by forming a multidisciplinary work team, whose main objective to accomplish is offering an architectural product at the service of society, closely intertwined to every specific spot, with high standards in architectonical and constructive quality. It also provides a deep commitment with research and formal innovation, intrinsically linked to cultural, social and economic environment.

Essentially, their way of acting relies on the integration of complex, diverse programmes into efficient, logical, adaptable, poetical architectural structures; they try to join functional logic and shape poetry together, searching, as begetter concepts, physical, social, cultural relationship with the environment and his own distinctive soul that makes it unique

Author

Rethinking The Future (RTF) is a Global Platform for Architecture and Design. RTF through more than 100 countries around the world provides an interactive platform of highest standard acknowledging the projects among creative and influential industry professionals.