Research Facilities in UMH University, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain / Subarquitectura + J.m. Torres Nadal

Located inside the Campus de los Desamparados in Orihuela, the building is area next to a lemon orchard with conditions of light, lack of rain and heat are really extreme, exceeding 40º C during the summer months. Laboratories and departments are grouped by a structure of interspersed rings, which contain a system of semi-outdoor courtyards connected with each other at different levels.

These rings are composed of three white plastic strips: the bottom one, in contact with the ground, is semi-transparent and porous, and lets you view the outside when you are sitting; the middle strip, very opaque and technical, leads the large volume of required facilities inside; and the last one, very diffuse, regulates the atmosphere and creates shadows, as a big cloud.

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The semi-open courtyards become important meeting spaces, while allowing access to labs. In its technified semi-interior, conditions of light, humidity and temperature are locally modified by multiple infra-red and humidifiers.

Architects: SUBARQUITECTURA + J.M. Torres Nadal
Client: UMH – Universidad Miguel Hernández
Contractor: UTE ECISA + COMSA
Site Area: 1,954 sqm
Photographs: Juan de la Cruz Megías