College campus

The building was acquired to house the new headquarters of the Soria College of Architects; it retained a facade of urban significance that was protected under Soria’s zoning regulations, which the project committed to preserving from the very beginning. We won the competition, which was restricted to architects from the city, in 2001 together with architect Jesús Fernández Beltrán. The proposal did not erase the existing structure but rather gutted the interior to create a new architecture that would engage with the old wall.

The centerpiece of the project is a large, open-plan space with triple-height ceilings and overhead lighting. This space serves as the focal point for the building’s layout, highlighting the interplay between the new construction and the existing structure, and offering a panoramic view of the entire building. A series of walkways span this void, connecting the various levels in a light and airy manner.

The original façade is not merely a boundary; it is transformed into a multi-level library façade. The bay windows take on a new function as reading and study spaces overlooking the central void, making the building’s history an active part of the program.

The exhibition hall and auditorium form the base, conceived as a perforated plinth upon which the rest of the building rests. Beneath the courtyard-garden, the design extends into a sequence of indoor and outdoor spaces that allow the garden to be viewed from any point in the building.