Dynamism and dialogue of materials. Torre Plaza Europa 34 by GCA Architects

Project description by GCA Architects

The GCA Architects studio has just completed the construction of Torre Plaza Europa 34, the latest office building projected in Plaza Europa (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat), one of the most developed business areas in the Barcelona metropolitan area and which has become a veritable gateway to the city. The Plaza Europa project, designed by Albert Viaplana between 2007 and 2008, rises halfway between the Airport of El Prat and the city of Barcelona, forming a new centrality through the redevelopment of roads, green spaces, and mixed-use buildings. Today it is defined by its set of large buildings that are architectural landmarks, and to which the latest work by GCA Architects has now been added.

In this environment, Torre Plaza Europa 34 rises as a glass volume with 21 floors that escapes the stereotypes of tall buildings by breaking down into 4 cubes that provide dynamism to the building and generate a series of terraces that allow you to enjoy the views offered by this unique enclave. The removed planes contrast with the glass of the main façade through the use of a darker type of glass that, together with the horizontal metal bands, emphasizes the appearance of balanced volumes.


Torre Plaza Europa 34 by GCA Architects. Photograph by Rafael Vargas.

The project consolidates the business fabric of Plaza Europa by constituting the last office tower in the urban plan. It is tied to the urban complex through a compositional dialogue with another tower in the complex, the Torre Puig, designed by GCA Architects in collaboration with Rafael Moneo and Lucho Marcial in 2014.

According to Josep Riu, architect and partner at GCA Architects, "Both towers manage to generate dynamism through a rotary movement: the Puig Tower with a spiral ribbon and the Plaza Europa 34 Tower through a displacement of volumes that gives it movement and lightness."


Torre Plaza Europa 34 by GCA Architects. Photograph by Rafael Vargas.

The rear façade is perceived as a slender aluminum volume that incorporates the core vertical communication and common services so that the area corresponding to the glazed area is completely free and open. Both types of façade are integrated through the arrangement of vertical aluminum slats that give continuity to the skin, creating a unitary image. Inside, the building is made up of 3 basement floors for parking, a ground floor that resolves the main access to the building and incorporates a multipurpose room, and 21 office floors.

In the Torre Plaza Europa 34 project, the use of low-consumption and easy-maintenance technologies has been prioritized, achieving a more efficient building that has received the LEED Gold certificate, which recognizes the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly buildings.