As part of the modernization and updating process of the Bahía de Algeciras Campus of the University of Cadiz, the architectural firm OOOA was responsible for the design of the campus library, located on the last vacant plot of the campus.

This operation completes the operation of efficient concentration of infrastructure of the university, where the library project would serve as an urban catalyst and relationship, as well as a point of innovation and social exchange.
The project by the studio OOOA, which recently received the Andalusian Architecture Award, revolves around the genesis of a University Library in digital times, where the architects' bet has been to think of a reversible architecture, which allows the future to modify its use with slight adaptations.

This reversibility is conceived to allow the adaptation of different spaces with great ease and few resources.  The result is displayed as a fragmented volume in several horizontal trays that, when slid, allow reading of its internal organization of three raised levels while describing a more appropriate order and scale.


Library of the Algeciras Bay Campus of the University of Cadiz by OOOA Arquitectos. Photograph by Javier Orive.
 

Project description by OOOA Arquitectos

This library is the most recent equipment that the University of Cadiz (UCA) has completed in its process of modernization and updating of the Algeciras Bay Campus. A building that aims to be the revulsive of the university community of the region and that, in an operation of efficient concentration of infrastructures motivated by the university, it is proposed the occupation and densification of the last free space of the plot of the Campus.

Initially, the client's guidelines suggested taking advantage of the existing slope of the plot to locate a semi-basement parking lot, conditioning to a large extent the implementation of the new building and also having to accept an important dividing wall on its major side towards a plot of the municipal domain.  Additionally, the enormous functional program required, which is completed with a floor of postgraduate classrooms, would end up exhausting the free space and approaching in excess to the departmental building of the university.

Faced with these circumstances, the project is proposed in its fundamental condition of urban equipment and campus relationship, as well as the continuation of public space, raising the established program by one floor and thus organizing a small square and a multipurpose room available to citizens, beyond an exclusive university service on the access floor. The resulting volume is not compact but fragmented into several horizontal trays that sliding allows reading of its internal organization of three raised levels while describing a more appropriate order and scale.

Having natural light in the reading rooms was a matter of course, which was complicated by having to have an entire blind façade due to its condition as a party wall, so skylights were installed as lanterns in the stairwells between the floors of the library.


Library of the Algeciras Bay Campus of the University of Cadiz by OOOA Arquitectos. Photograph by Javier Orive.

How a University Library should be in digital times was the other reflection that convinced the jury of certain alterations in the organization of the building. It has been provided with spaces for interaction and socialization to encourage relationships between students from different backgrounds, as well as complementing the reading spaces with group work boxes and meetings where the days are extended. A library that has relationship and communication spaces associated with reading and work rooms encourages innovation and exchange among its users.

Thinking of a reversible architecture, which allows the future to modify its use with slight adaptations has meant the choice of the structural system of large spans, consisting of concrete shielded pillars and reticular slabs both heavily reinforced, which in turn allows thorough compatibility with the uses of parking and classrooms required on other levels. Reversibility could allow the adaptation of reading spaces into teaching or even administrative spaces, workshops into seminars, and work rooms into offices with great ease and few resources.

Moreover, not only the excellent energy performance of its envelopes allows us to speak of a responsible practice of the profession, but also the persistence of public architecture as an urban endowment. This means understanding how this building can remain an urban facility even if it alters the program for which it was designed.

The requirement to design a building with almost zero consumption is used to reinforce the idea of how the building should communicate this condition by installing a perforated aluminum skin that will dissipate solar overheating. It manifests itself uniquely with an abstract envelope in a nondescript urban context, presenting itself as the new identity of the campus due to its advantageous position concerning the rest of the buildings.

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Collaborators
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Quantity Surveyor.- Manuel Ballester Diana.
BIM Architect.- Mónica Marín Ruiz.
Collaborating architects.- Paula España González, Teresa Diez Muñoz, Valeria La Carruba, and Román Limón.
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Developer
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Area
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Constructed area.- 2,693.58 sqm.
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Budget
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€ 3,122,387.04
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Dates
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Competition and project.- 2017-2018. Construction.- 2018-2021.
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Manufacturers
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Carpentry.- STRUGAL.
Lighting.- LAMP and LEDSC4.
Acoustic solutions.- APLICACIONES ACÚSTICAS DEL SURESTE SL.
Adhesives.- MAPEI
Aluminum sheet supplier.- RECA, REJILLAS CALIBRADAS SL.
Minium litter garbage cans.- MMCITE.
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Location
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Square María de Molina s/n. 11202 Algeciras, Cádiz, Spain.
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Photography
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The OOOA studio, formed by Tomás Osborne (El Puerto de Santa María, 1980) and José Carlos Oliva (Plasencia, 1979), both architects by the School of Architecture of Seville, was established in 2014, mainly dedicated to the drafting of projects for public administrations through tenders. During the last years, they have carried out several projects in Vietnam, whose works have been recognized with publications and mentions in awards. They have been awarded, through public tender, the reform in the Urbanization of the Higher Polytechnic School of the Algeciras Campus, the remodeling of the Authorities Tower of the Jerez Circuit (first prize in ideas competition), the Library of the Algeciras Bay Campus of the University of Cadiz, and recently the extension and reform of the Social Services Building in Sanlucar de Barrameda, as well as two educational centers in the province of Almeria.

His built work has been highlighted with different recognitions, such as the Andalucía de Arquitectura Award for new construction work in 2022 given by the Consejería de Fomento de la Junta de Andalucía, mention to the best new construction work in the 9th Sánchez Esteve Awards 2020-2021 of the Colegio de Arquitectos de Cádiz, Accésit to the international work 2019-2020 in the COAS Awards of the College of Architects of Seville, Torres Clavé Award in its 8th Edition 2018-2019, of the College of Architects of Cadiz, Award to the national work 2017-2018 in the COAS Awards and Sánchez Esteve Award in its 7th Edition 2016-2017.
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Published on: November 16, 2022
Cite: "Reversible architecture. Library of the Algeciras Bay Campus of the University of Cadiz by OOOA Arquitectos" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/reversible-architecture-library-algeciras-bay-campus-university-cadiz-oooa-arquitectos> ISSN 1139-6415
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