Ferrer Arquitectos’ PITA & Tecnova Buildings Promote Green Building in Almeria, Spain

2012 saw the completion of the <a href="http://www.pitalmeria.es/en/cat/business-centre" target="_blank">Pitagoras building</a> and <a href="http://www.fundaciontecnova.com/" target="_blank">Tecnova Foundation's headquarters</a> in a new science and technology park in Alameria, Spain. Both buildings are committed to high-tech research and development as well as the promotion of sustainability. Designed by <a href="http://www.ferrerarquitectos.com/project.php?proyecto=29#tab2" target="_blank">Ferrer Arquitectos</a>, the research buildings feature high-performance facades that maximize daylighting, promote energy-efficiency and include living gardens all throughout their interiors.

The Pitagoras and Tecnova buildings provide high tech research and office space for Almeria as part of the new <a href="http://www.pitalmeria.es/" target="_blank">Parque Científico-Tecnológico de Almería (PITA)</a>.

Designed by Ferrer Arquitectos, the buildings were the first to be completed in the park and were sustainably designed to reflect the ideals of the park and the businesses that would work there.

The backside of the Pitagoras and Tecnova buildings.

The Pitagoras building's name is an amalgamation of PITA and Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras.

The south-facing exterior is covered in a large array of horizontal louvers to shield the interior from the direct sun.

Overhung and shady entryway into the Pitagoras building.

Stepped in from the louvers is a fully glazed facade that lets in lots of natural daylight into the office and lab spaces.

An interior passageway is lit from above with skylights and each floor features a meeting room that protrudes out from the building.

Inside this central strip are hanging plants and planted courtyards that add life to the otherwise modern and modest environment.

Planted courtyards and lightwells.

Both buildings have a Class A energy rating and were designed to meet the USGBC's LEED certification and the European Green Building Certification.

Transverse section.

Longitudinal section.