A Medical School is home to students and hospital professionals for a very long period of their lives. When we entered the competition for the renovation and expansion of the Zaragoza University School of Medicine, we asked ourselves: How to create an efficient, functional complex with a warm but institutional image?

The renovation of the Zaragoza University School of Medicine includes three interventions: the refurbishment of the existing classroom building, the design of a new annex for a library, and the creation of an anatomy, clinical simulation and laboratory centre.

 

To achieve the unity, clarity and functionality that the School must have, we carried out a strategic operation, which visually and physically connects the three buildings in the complex. A rectangular cloister connects the two new buildings, and penetrates the interior of the existing building, organizing the three as one.

 

In addition, the new cloister creates an urban image for the faculty. Inside, a garden is planned as a space to extend university life in contact with nature.

 

On the other hand, in the existing building dedicated to teaching classrooms, a large entrance hall is designed to receive students. To do this, we dismantled the existing floors creating a triple-height space illuminated from above. The hall overlooks the large rear garden and provides an area to gather in the building where students will receive most of their classes.

 

North to the classroom building the new biomedical library is designed. A large hall functions as an informal meeting space. In addition, the wood structure and finishes give warmth to the entire library.

 

Opposite to the library, a building dedicated to the laboratories and the anatomy and clinical simulation center is planned. High technical demands and cold finishes are imperative. Effective organization is taken care of to the maximum.

 

The School also has a main façade to the university campus. There, in a space previously dedicated to a parking lot, we have designed a garden of native species that creates a microclimate and allows us to opt for sustainable mobility.

 

Sustainability is key throughout the project. Therefore, the entire proposal is based on the use of a large number of natural or recycled materials. In addition, the facades are designed in accordance with their orientation. Finally, natural light is also used for lighting, and nature is integrated into the entire context.