Eight internationally renowned architecture teams have been commissioned to design the interior of the future UPC knowledge, training, research, and university studies hub at the Fàbrica Nova building in Manresa, Central Catalonia. This significant project is a joint initiative by Manresa City Council and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC).
The selected teams, comprising temporary unions and firms with an "indisputable" trajectory, according to Manresa City Council, are expected to deliver designs at the "architectural avant-garde". The project, which has a budget of almost €2 million, is being co-funded by the City Council and the UPC. It garnered considerable international interest, attracting 23 proposals from various countries, including Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.
Leading Architects to Reimagine Manresa Landmark
Among the eight selected teams is DATA ARQUITECTURA I ENGINYERIA & JOAN RAMON PASCUETS IGLESIAS. DATAAE, a leading Catalan firm in bioclimatic architecture, known for works such as the ICTA-ICP Research Centre at UAB, which received the Catalunya Construcció and FAD Awards, has partnered with experienced architect Joan Ramon Pascuets, a finalist for the Catalunya Construcció Awards for his Garden House project.
JULIÀ ARQUITECTES brings a recognised history in designing large public facilities and strong local ties. Their notable works include the Terrassa Auditorium and Municipal Conservatory, and the restoration of the Old Dormitory of the Royal Monastery of Pedralbes, which earned them the Ciutat de Barcelona Award. They also received a FAD Award for their landscape intervention at Camping Alfacs and are responsible for the Fàbrica Nova's façade and roof rehabilitation project.
The alliance of CAMPS FELIP ARQUITECTOS & TUÑON Y ALBORNOZ ARQUITECTURA combines Girona-based Arquitecturia, led by Josep Camps and Olga Felip, known for projects like the Balaguer courthouses and recipients of the Catalunya Construcció and NAN Arquitectura awards, with Emilio Tuñón, one of Spain's most influential architects. Tuñón, awarded the Gold Medal of Spanish Architecture, is behind significant works such as the MUSAC in León and the recent Royal Collections Gallery in Madrid.
RAVETLLAT ARQUITECTURA & CARLES ENRICH STUDIO & TALLER 9S ARQUITECTES form a team specialising in historic heritage interventions. This collaboration brings together the experience of Pere Joan Ravetllat, who rehabilitated the Sant Antoni Market and received a Ciutat de Barcelona Award, the sensitivity of Carles Enrich, honoured with the Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism Award for the restoration of the Torre de Merola, and the rigorous approach of Taller 9s, specialists in heritage architectural restoration.
VIVAS ARQUITECTOS BARCELONA & TOMÀS MORATÓ PASALODOS offer extensive expertise in developing civic, cultural, and complex public buildings, with a focus on technical innovation. Vivas Arquitectos recently completed the Sant Gervasi First Reception Residential Centre, which received a European award for best social housing project. Tomàs Morató has been recognised with several Bonaplata Awards for industrial heritage intervention.
International Expertise and Local Heritage
B720 ARQUITECTURA, founded and led by Fermín Vázquez, is a prominent Spanish firm with an international presence. Their iconic projects include the Mercat dels Encants and the new Sagrera station in Barcelona. The firm has received several international awards and has been a finalist for the FAD Awards.
NOGUÉ ONZAIN ARQUITECTES & IKER ALZOLA MOLINA present a contemporary vision for urbanism and public spaces. Nogué Onzain Arquitectes, responsible for projects such as the new CAP Raval Nord at the Chapel of Misericòrdia and social housing schemes recognised by the AVS Awards, has joined forces with Leku Studio, led by Iker Alzola, who played a key role in large-scale urban transformation projects like the design of the Sant Antoni Superblock in Barcelona.
Finally, AGÈNCIA MATERIAL AGÈNCIA IMMATERIAL & CIVIC ARCHITECTS VOF sees the Catalan firm AMAI partnering with the Dutch Civic Architects. The latter are internationally acclaimed for their LocHal project in Tilburg, Netherlands, where they transformed a former locomotive hangar into a library. This work has won international accolades, including the World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival and the Europa Nostra Award for heritage.
The eight finalist teams are required to submit their proposals by the end of June. Following this, a jury comprising the Head of Urban Projects and Territorial Infrastructures Service at Manresa City Council, an architect appointed by the City Council, two representatives from the UPC, and two from the Architects' Association of Catalonia, along with a secretary who has a voice but no vote, will select the winning project. The chosen team will then have 18 months to draft and deliver the definitive project, after which a new phase will begin with a tender process for the construction works of the Fàbrica Nova.
