Fundación Cerezales Antonino y Cinia by Alejandro Zaera Polo & Maider Llaguno

Descripción of the project by AZPML

Function and components criteria.- 

This expansion is projected as a timber—both structure and enclosure—, fan-shaped building located on the top of the chosen lot, (level: 882.80 m) with ground floor and first floor and some basements for the building’s installations.

It is a free-standing building, which is part of a research work on architectural archetypes worldwide recognisable. In this case, the research is focused on those archetypes found in rural areas, which follow the geometric and constructive criteria of traditional local—and global—architecture, i.e. gable roofs, exposed wood frames in facade, the use of wood as cladding, etc. In turn, it allows to distribute the different uses associated with FCAYC —which today are developed in the insufficient area of the former school of Cerezales del Condado—, in 5 contiguous “sheds” with a longitudinal development North-South, and also vertical in the two storeys of 3 of the 5 sheds.

Reduction of energy consumption: an integral approach.- 

FCAYC's new headquarters building has been conceived from a comprehensive sustainability perspective, to minimise its environmental impact throughout the life cycle of the building.

A key element of the building's environmental strategy is the reduction and balance of the building's energy consumption during the phases of construction and use. For this purpose, materials with a low embodied energy have been used, as well as an architectural design that incorporates passive standards, plays with the orientation, shape, and characteristics of its skin, to minimise the demands of the building.

On the other hand, the active elements selected to cover these demands are highly efficient, and allow an annual consumption that is, according to the valuations of independent entities, at least 30% lower than that of a building designed according to the criteria of the Spanish Technical Building Code.

These active and passive strategies are accompanied by the use of three renewable energy sources: geothermal, biomass and phase-change materials. These systems reduce CO2 emissions if we compare them to those generated by the use of fossil fuels. The building project has obtained the energy rating “A”, according to the scales of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism of Spain.

Eventually, the team chose a design based on a compact unit, to gain several energetic and functional advantages, in contrast with a dispersed buildings option. At the same time, the concentration of uses in a single building keeps the original sight from the school (current headquarters of the Foundation) towards the mountain and camouflages the new building behind the trees. The floor plan responds to the needs of the institution, with spaces that will house music, art and the regular multidisciplinary workshops at FCAYC.

Structure.- 
Sheds 1 to 4. Timber.- 
The vertical structure of sheds 1 to 4 is formed by frames made of laminated timber (size 400x200) Both in its vertical shaft (column) and in the horizontal arch (beam).

The slabs of that area are made of CLT (Crossing Laminated Timber) panels, formed of layers of coniferous timber, which are glued under pressure to become elements of solid wood and large format. Thanks to the cross-arrangement of the longitudinal and transverse layers, the warping and shrinkage of the wood on the surface of the board are reduced to an insignificant minimum and they considerably increase the static resistance and the stiffness.

The covers, however, are made with CLT-mix. Unlike CLT panels, these are characterised by replacing the interior gap with a thermo-acoustic insulation made of low-density wood grain. These panels feature better mechanical, thermal and acoustic performance per unit area.

Shed 5. Concrete.- 
The first floor is made with 32 cm thick solid slab, and the roof cover with 28 cm thick sloping solid slab.

The vertical structure is made by reinforced concrete pillars with a section of 40x40 or 35x40cm.

Coating (facade and continuous roof).- 
The main external enclosure is designed as a light wooden facade, ventilated and open joint, which allows the ventilation of the coating of all faces, and prevents condensation inside the wall. The finishing will be implementedusing vertical, 70 mm thick boards of local larch wood (from the Pyrenees) with an open joint of 15 mm.

On the other hand, a glazed enclosure on a curtain wall bearing laminated wood is proposed, following the design criteria of the main wood structure and presenting itself as a traditional wood or colombage framework. The glass in the South facade has layers for solar control to avoid a direct radiation in the interior. The North facade, on the other hand, prioritises a glass of high performance in light transmission.

Organization of FCAYC program.- 
Ground floor.- 

The main shed, or Shed 3, consists of a single diaphanous space with a double height that is accessed from the North and South facades, with natural lighting and cross ventilation, understood as an indoors extension of the outside landscape.

Shed 2, with a double height, is defined by a bigger frame, and it is intended to house the auditorium, several classrooms, toilets and the reception.

Shed 1, with a smaller bay, contains spaces to provide service to the main shed (Shed 2), such as laboratories, rooms for the building installations, dressing rooms and the vertical communication zone connecting with the first floor.

Instead, Shed 4, with same proportions as shed 2 and also with a double height, houses the exhibition spaces, with a movable wall that allows, either to have a single diaphanous space or the possibility to divide it by creating a small classroom at the South.

Shed 5, also with a smaller bay, contains spaces that provide service to the large exhibition hall, such as the loading and unloading area, a waste warehouse, a temperature-controlledstorehouse, a restoration atelier, installations, etc. Besides, it has a lifting platform and stairs to access the warehouse on the first floor.

First floor.- 
Shed 3 and Shed 5 have 2 usable storeys.

In Shed 1, first-floor uses are: an office, some rooms for installations related to heating and cooling, and the area of vertical communication that connects with the ground floor.

In Shed 2 (North), first-floor uses are: spaces linked to the auditorium (translation booths and control room), two music rehearsal rooms and an airy lobby for resting and reading.

Shed 5 houses the second floor of the warehouse and it is connected to the ground floor via stairs and a lifting platform (service lift). Other spaces, intended for installations, are accessible from the first landing of the staircase.

On the ground level, the structure of the blocks is made of laminated wood, in the case of sheds 1 to 4, and of reinforced concrete, in the case of the most oriental block (Shed 5).