Alonso | Balaguer

The first premise of the Project is the location of the Convention Center and its adjacent program, in order to arrange a great diaphanous hall of 7.200 m2; the second premise looks after its optimum performance. Connections and relations among the different pieces of the program are a key component in the project. Our architecture seeks, strengthens and gives a clear differential value to the perimeter external location of all facility cores, vertical communication, emergency stairs, bathrooms… in order to make possible the freeing of central space, giving maximum flexibility to future adaptations of the functional program. The exterior space has an outdoor auditorium for one thousand people, visually related to the access hall. The lobby will be a diaphanous space, with enough height to connect the sights of the first floor foyer. The Convention Center program is formally unified by a great flat roof that shelters the complex entirely. Due to its characteristics of size and proximity to the airport, this roof is meant to be the fifth façade of the building, and is being treated as such. Apart from its function of solar energy and rainwater collector, it also works as a communication agent (through ads) of the events that might be scheduled in the complex. This metallic roof, as well as understanding the building as an interrelated space, will also contain the necessary facilities and will project shadows and lights that recall the Mediterranean Sea, giving the set a modern image with a context.