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The idea originated as the answer to the following question: how to enlarge a protected building without harming/affecting the whole complex, declared a Cultural Heritage Site?
The enlargement was thus seen as the “placement” of an object inside the complex. This object would be capable of stirring up the interest of its users and at the same time fulfil each and every one if their needs.
Placed inside the patio of the German School of Valencia, the pavilion projected and carried out has a façade which can be dismantled for open air concerts or simply for teaching music.
Respecting the children’s playground area, the pavilion presents itself as a “game box”. To fully integrate itself into the complex, both the façade and the unusual roof are covered with a single element: perforated aluminium panels. This allows complete uniformity, even taking into account openings for natural lighting, and, at the same time, reflects its surroundings, which helps its integration even more.
In the end, the object has less formal visibility than the protected building, and a space has been created inside the patio which aims to be more of a sculpture inside the patio than a building.
As if it were a skeleton, the metallic structure of the building is hidden beneath its skin. The lack of structural pillars is possible thanks to a diagonal lattice.
The contrast between the reflective exterior and the absorbent interior of the object is possible by playing with two materials, wood and aluminium.
We decided that aluminium was the ideal material for what we wanted to achieve with the project, due to its various properties: uniformity, reflective characteristics, durability, malleability, economy, etc. We were looking for a skin with very specific characteristics, and aluminium, in its pure form, complied fully with all of them, without the need for additional treatments.
Also the local climate played a significant role; Valencia is on the eastern coast of Spain, facing the Mediterranean; year-round, it’s quite humid in general, although temperatures are usually soft, except in summer when its hot.
Significant use of aluminium
This is evident in the details of the project, since the whole pavilion is wrapped in a perforated aluminium skin, as can be seen in the photographs that accompany the project.
Energy efficiency
A double skin of aluminium has been used to protect the building against climactic elements, including sunlight.
Life cycle thinking
We have chosen to use aluminium without any additional surface treatment since it is a material that, although it is not immune to the passage of time, is highly resistant to corrosion and has a long life.
Contemporary design
It is precisely this aspect of the enlargement, enhanced by the use of aluminium, which has sparked a lively debate and various opposed opinions, without once questioning its fundamental values. Thanks to the perforated panels, both the drainage system and the openings to let in natural light are concealed, giving rise to a building that is more of a sculpture of contemporary design.
Socio-economic impact
We are dealing with a material with a low cost of recycling and a relatively stable price, so there was no inconvenience in using it, given that although the enlargement was important both in a symbolic and functional aspect, the budget to carry it out was limited.
Added value to the original building
The original building of the school dates from 1961; even though in the 90s it was enlarged, it is considered a Cultural Heritage building, so initially the local Administration denied any further enlargements. However, given the characteristics of the pavilion, which stands out as a significant “piece” enabling new uses for the building and amplifying the potential of the school patio, authorization is received for the enlargement, and today the building has added value to the complex, both for its design and for the use given to it.
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