The University of Salamanca is the oldest university in Spain; founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX, it was acknowledged in 1254 by Pope Alexander IV as being one of the four great Universities in the world, along with the universities of Oxford, Paris and Bologna.
It has had many distinguished professors throughout its history, including Luis de León, Beatriz de Galindo, Melchor Cano, Francisco de Vitoria and Miguel de Unamuno and many well known citizens have walked along the University's corridors, like Miguel de Cervantes, Hernando Cortes and Christopher Columbus.
Miguel de Unamuno (29 September 1864 – 31 December 1936) was born in Bilbao, played an important role in the intellectual life of Spain. Unamuno worked in all major genres: the essay, the novel, poetry and theatre, and, as a modernist, contributed greatly to dissolving the boundaries between genres.
" The building is located on a plot at the end of Salamanca University Campus Miguel de Unamuno. Its topography is rugged, with a difference of up to 6 m between the outermost points.
Taking this condition the implantation proposal starts off from a topological approach with two different input levels, allowing access further segregation by types and uses (vehicle access and representative pedestrian access at the lower and upper level, respectively).
The solution adopted led to the construction of a unitary and compact building, with a continuous and semi-transparent mask inspired in genetic coding processes.
After which the plan is organized around eight functional large vertical holes (four indoor and four attached to the facade), thereby obtaining a foamed interior provided with natural lighting.
The compaction of the program also allowed us to liberate most of the plot’s surface, and to project terraced/landscaped plates to allow the coexistence of the outdoor leisure area with controlled parking strips.
The auditorium of amoeboid form, located on the northern head of the building, is configured as a (formal and constructively) differential element that marks the main entrance to the building.
At the other extreme, a large concrete brackets allow shelter the space for expeditions (the other major access area) and hold cryogenic gas tanks." Description of the architects.
Location: Salamanca, Spain Architects: Mata y Asociados Project Team: Myriam Vizcaino Bassi, Javier Encinas Hernández, Eduardo García García, Jaime Pedruelo Sánchez, Stefania Augliera, David Emiliano Fernández Mateos (model) Engineers: Euroestudios, A2V ingenieros Year: 2010 Photographs: Juan K. Ayala