JAVIER MOSQUERA GONZALEZ Architects
CALASPARRA TOWN HALL
MENTION
Type: Open international competition.
Location: Calasparra, Spain
Year: 2022
Program: Workspace
Size: 1,050m2
Visualization: Cosmorama Visuals
The location of the new building for the Calasparra Town Hall offers an opportunity to design an urban environment capable of promoting encounters and exchanges of experiences and services among the inhabitants of the municipality. Next to the Plaza de Emilio Pérez Piñero and at the end of the tree-lined boulevard of Avenida Primero de Mayo, a building is proposed that serves as the end of the urban axis and as a transition to the square. The objective is to create an urban route in which the City Council's own services enhance their public character from the relationship with the open-air pedestrian space. In the same way, a remodeling of the car park located to the north of the future building is proposed, expanding its previous space to ensure its pedestrian connection with the urban center. Both are complemented by an extension of trees and landscaped spaces near the Town Hall.
The functional program contained in the technical specifications for the competition is organized in a compact volume, stratified into three different levels connected by a core of vertical communications. The position of this connection on the floor allows the number of elevators and evacuation exits on the floor to be reduced to a minimum. Along with a nucleus of toilets on each floor, this nucleus divides the surface of each level into two parts. On the first floor, it separates the plenary hall, which can also be used as a meeting room, from the access and customer service area, and on the basement floor, the archive is separated from the machine and computer area. The first floor is organized with offices on both facades, and interspersed open work areas according to the organization chart provided. The roof is conceived as a landscaped surface from which the plant species for the pergola grow, as well as an area for the placement of solar panels.
The building is divided into two structural systems based on prefabricated elements and quick assembly on site. The basement is conceived as a prefabricated concrete box on a suspended floor. The vertical communications core will be an extension of it to the roof, complying with the structural and fire protection requirements. First floor and second floor are solved by panels and structural slabs of CLT wood. The structural system of the proposed building allows for the general expansion of the complex up to the maximum height of 5 floors allowed by urban regulations. The current roof will become a public plant, maintaining the green roof as a garden area. The solar panels will be relocated in the future upper level, allowing the use of this space as a more private public service area.
The construction systems adopted try to enhance the value of prefabricated and dry-assembled elements, optimizing work times on site. The proposed exterior finishes divide the building into two parts. The plinth is resolved as a ventilated facade of cement wood panels on battens and insulation, attached to the CLT structural panels. The upper floor, and the possible future expansion, will have a facade with continuous mortar coating on SATE. The exterior carpentry will be in white lacquered aluminum, with thermal break, double glass with an air chamber and solar control. Individual aerators will be incorporated for the natural ventilation of each office. The interior flooring will be polished concrete in the basement and linoleum on the first floor and beyond. The interior divisions are resolved with steel profiles and plasterboard panels painted white.