"During the International Week, the students of Master's Degree in Architecture, design and management Building Environment(MDGAE), together with students from the National University of Singapore (NUS), we had the opportunity to visit two emblematic buildings in Madrid, recognized for their commitment to sustainability and as examples of regenerative architecture.
On the first day, in addition to participating in several theoretical sessions, we visited IDOM 's headquarters in Madrid. They were welcomed by Julia Gómez, team member of IDOM's Architecture area and former student of Master's Degree. Julia gave a detailed explanation about the building, highlighting its innovative aspects and the strategies implemented to reduce the environmental impact, in a building that is now more than a decade old and that is still up to date in all its strategies for sustainable design .
During the visit, we took a tour of the building's facilities, where we were able to see first hand the most relevant elements. Julia showed us the open work spaces and the different areas of the roof, allowing us to better understand the functioning of the renewable installations, the green roof and the design of the facades. She also delved into the management of rainwater, a crucial aspect in the sustainability of the building.
We took advantage of visit to raise concerns about the building and discuss the future of sustainable architecture.
On Friday, to conclude the International Week, we visited the Ombú building, Acciona's office headquarters in Madrid. This building, designed by Foster & Partners, transforms an old industrial warehouse, turning it into a model of regenerative architecture, creating natural and social spaces around the building and revitalizing the entire surrounding area .
Francisco Herrero, an architect at Foster & Partners who also participated in the design regenerative project, accompanied us during the visit. He made special emphasis on how an old architecture has been able to adapt and create that modern contrast that such an innovative business as Acciona needs. "The old building has helped to build its own future". This phrase not only makes reference letter to this contrast, but to how the old factory and the elements that remained in it were essential to be able to build the new building and that today remain inside.
One of the most important challenges of this construction and something Fran paid special attention to is explaining how they were able to legalize all these old elements, which today remain inside and make the new architecture comply with current legislation.
He also commented on some aspects of this regenerative architecture, such as the flexibility when designing spaces and circulations, or the way in which the new architecture is part of the building but "without touching it". The old structure does not touch the new one and so this new architecture is able to dismantle itself and leave the site the same or better than it found it.
Getting to know solutions implemented at IDOM's headquarters and the Ombú building provided us with valuable experience internship, complementing the theoretical knowledge acquired at Master's Degree".
Text written by: Pilar Vilarrubí Moracho, student of Master's Degree Architecture and design and management Environmental Buildings.
