DIGITAL CONTENT HUB

Courtyards and gardens are being revived as thermal balancers and catalysts for new activities.

DESCRIPTION

Proposal for the adaptation of the existing Tabacalera building in Malaga (Regionalism 1920s) for public facilities linked to young people related to the world of digital technology.

Given that the building’s facades are practically finished, the project primarily focuses on adapting the interior and existing facilities to the new intended use, as well as restoring the building’s original openings, which have been altered by large perforations. The plan also includes developing the roadway along the north and west facades and creating a parking area and garden to the north, respecting the existing trees and allowing for separate access.

Natural ventilation and lighting are restored to the north gallery to improve the building’s bioclimatic performance and result in energy savings by eliminating continuous artificial lighting. This measure aims to enhance passive design principles, increasing the functional sustainability of the renovation.

To further improve the building’s bioclimatic performance and integrate it more seamlessly with the gardens surrounding the Tabacalera building, two courtyard gardens are proposed. These will transform the main recreational areas into green spaces for the building. These courtyards will also act as natural thermal regulators, promoting coolness in summer and facilitating the absorption and transmission of geothermal heat in winter. Therefore, the courtyards will be created by adding topsoil and surface paving at the points of exit and connection between different sections of the building.

The proposal includes complementing the functional program with a mezzanine exhibition space above the two wings of classrooms and workshops that surround the main courtyard.
These spaces can also be used as large workshops where research and projects carried out during the courses can be displayed periodically.
The plan aims to recover architectural qualities of the Tabacalera building, such as the exposed structure of the ceilings with concrete beams and joists, and the monumental scale of its interiors. These elements can be integrated into the necessary uses, enriching the final result of the renovation while respecting the existing architectural heritage.