“Another exam?” I hear a student sigh near the Edificio de Laboratorios Polivalentes. The building stands as a testament to modern architectural ingenuity.
The Edificio de Laboratorios Polivalentes at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos I in Alcorcón, Madrid, is more than just a building. It is a solution. The university held a national competition to design this versatile building. It needed to accommodate teaching, research, and create a connection. The Edificio de Laboratorios Polivalentes needed to connect with neighboring buildings and a new campus entrance.
José Seguí Perez from ESTUDIO SEGUI designed the building. Construction finished in 2022. The Edificio de Laboratorios Polivalentes covers 10,000 square meters.
The design addressed teaching needs and sustainability. Expanded metal mesh elements manage sunlight on the facades. The mesh openings vary depending on the facade’s orientation. Adjustable pergolas filter natural light inside the Edificio de Laboratorios Polivalentes. In winter, sunlight penetrates the main patio. It reflects off the south-facing laboratory facade. This light illuminates the lobby’s curtain wall on the north side. Light filters through all floors via patios and light wells. These are in the lobby, distribution areas, and exhibition spaces. The spaces connect the ground and first floors.
The Edificio de Laboratorios Polivalentes also regularizes the campus’s south elevation. It hides the service road to the north. It also conceals the mismatched rear facades of adjacent departmental buildings.
The building’s volume comes from the relationship between its stone base and semi-transparent metal mesh. This creates contrasting light and shadow. Structurally, each floor has two sections separated by a longitudinal courtyard. Each section has two bays. These create open spaces for flexible laboratory layouts and classrooms. A central element provides access to a connecting walkway. This connects the Edificio de Laboratorios Polivalentes to other departmental buildings.
Notice the mesh. It is not just decoration. It is a functional element reducing the impact of the sun. The Edificio de Laboratorios Polivalentes exemplifies thoughtful design. It blends form and function. It provides a modern sustainable space for learning and research.