Last Thursday, September 18, our students of the qualifying masters left the Magna classroom to continue their learning at the Francisco Umbral Municipal Public Library (also known as the Thousand Suns Library). The activity is part of the Wood Construction Workshops that took place in Madrid from September 15 to 25.
Accompanied by the project architect, Miguel Ángel Díaz Camacho of MADC, this visit to the Butarque neighborhood of Madrid allowed the students to connect what they had learned in the classroom the day before with the reality of the construction site.
Our student Patricia Muñoz, from the Double Master's Degree in Architecture and Real Estate (MAR), shares her impressions of this space:
"From the beginning it has been very interesting to see how a wooden project , as the main construction element, materializes. With Miguel Angel's explanation it was clear that the choice of material was not purely aesthetic, but responds to multiple criteria: sustainability, speed of assembly, carbon footprint, as well as good environmental properties. In addition, he showed us the types of wood used, as well as the fastening systems, and how all this is integrated to achieve interior comfort, thermal control and a cozy atmosphere.
A revealing part was the relationship between the wood structure and the fixtures: natural lighting, solar control and skylights combine to reduce the need for artificial air conditioning. In the interior walk-through, wood finishes add visual and sensory warmth, reinforcing the idea that wood is not just structural, but part of experiential comfort.
I also found it very valuable to know the social and urban motives behind the building. It is integrated into the neighborhood, it is designed to be a space for cultural meeting , learning, community and not only for reading. Miguel Ángel's intention was to create a space that would dialogue with its surroundings, both in scale and materials, with friendly accesses and associated open-air spaces. He told us that he worked on a less striking aesthetic so as not to attack the environment.
To conclude, the visit leaves me with several reflections: on the one hand, the importance of making conscious construction decisions -materials that reduce impacts, efficient Structures ; on the other, the possibility that wood can be a seriously competitive alternative for public buildings if it is well designed".
