Expansion and refurbishment of the national centre of microbiology Rehabilitación. Laboratory E-53. Majadahonda

EXPANSION AND REFURBISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL CENTRE OF MICROBIOLOGY, MAJADAHONDA CAMPUS.   

Location: Carretera de Pozuelo a Majadahonda, Majadahonda, MADRID.

Owner: Institute of Health Carlos III. Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness

Design and Construction supervision: José Enrique Fombella Guillem and Marta Pastor Estébanez

Date: 2016-2018

The building to be refurbished was built in the sixties and had deteriorated to the point where it could no longer be put to its intended use. The project also includes demolishing blocks no longer fit for use and building an annexe for teaching areas and general campus facilities.

The refurbished space will be linked to the new laboratory building and will be used for administrative purposes, mainly by research and administrative staff, and for campus management offices and meeting rooms and/or classrooms.

Landscaping works around the buildings, both to the south and to the north, will structure the pathways and access roads, replanting greenery and woodland in areas that are currently either neglected or occupied by sheds and obsolete infrastructure that will be removed.

Refurbishment work often presents an underlying problem that is difficult to solve, especially in the case of a building like this that has no architectural value. The aim is to know which parts of the building are to be maintained, which changed and to what extent the work costs more than demolition and new construction.

In addition to changing the use, the indoor space must be made interesting, while designing the exterior to faithfully reflect the current architecture, making it work for the intended use.

The compositional resources used for this building aim to remove the worst-affected parts while restoring others, rather like a surgical operation which endeavours to enhance the whole so that it can continue to be used and look good for many more years.

Exterior finishes will include different kinds of zinc, stainless steel mesh and white concrete to dilute the contrast with existing buildings on the Campus.