enric ruiz-geli: media ICT building under construction in barcelona

currently under construction in barcelona is the media-ICT building by spanish architect enric ruiz-geli. the building is designed to be a communications hub and meeting point for businesses and institutions in information and communication technologies (ICTs) as well as for the media and audio visual sectors. the building consists of a main metallic structure, composed of 4 rigid, braced frames, 14.25m apart. the frame type consists of metal fink-type beams made of 7 and 8 section forged-metal girders. each frame has a support beam that transfers their load to ‘galleries’, the rigid support centres.

all images courtesy enric ruiz geli

using 2,500m2 of ETFE cladding, the media tic building will enable energy savings of 20% and will score 42 points of the maximum 57 points envisaged by the degree on environmental criteria and energy eco-efficiency for buildings. ETFE cladding is inflatable, with up to three air chambers. this not only improves thermal insulation, but also makes it possible to create shade by means of the pneumatic system. the first layer is transparent, the second (middle) and third layers have a reverse pattern design which, when inflated and joined together, create shade, or in other words a single opaque layer. when the second and third layers are joined, creating shade, the inflatable section only has one air chamber.

organization of programs:

zero density: ground floor, no structure, public; free space of 36m x 44m, a historical space.

low density: office floors are crossed by structural lines (support beams) of minimum size thanks to the use of traction offering maximum flexibility. this makes it possible to divide the various uses among the different users.

high density: galleries – the large support centres define smaller and more inflexible spaces that correspond to centres of communication, installation supports, bathrooms, roof terraces and courtyards.