EUROPA-CENTER HIT Officesb

The new EUROPA-CENTER HIT offices in Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona) are organized into three wings of large and interconnected workspaces. The building rises above two large patios and offers views of the natural environment from all points of view. The project has been designed surrounded by an extensive landscaped area with native species and is organized around two large central paved patios that become the heart of the complex. The central office wing rises above the ground, forming a large porch on the ground floor that connects the central square with the park and green areas. Both the plot and the building have an open and welcoming character, with many public areas within easy reach. The large entrance square and the patio are designed for common uses, which are enhanced on the ground floor with catering facilities for a cafeteria, restaurant, conference room and a gym. The wings of the building have a depth studied in detail to offer a wide range of workspaces never less than 16-meters-wide, while favouring their relationship with the glass facades. In this way, all users have natural light and views of the neighbouring park. The entrance hall and the large interior meeting spaces are oriented towards the façade, in order to be naturally lit. The design minimizes the building's impact on the environment. The 21-meter-width wings and the choice of a structural system using lightened concrete slabs allow reducing the footprint and materials of the building. The passive design approach takes full advantage of the characteristics of the site. The sun, the wind and the ecosystem have been studied and taken into account in all project phases. The curtain wall and the double-height metal slats that will be installed on the facades with more solar incidence, minimize glare without affecting the contribution of natural light to workspaces while optimizing interior thermal comfort. The design extends the program beyond the building's facades so that users can socialize and work in various outdoor spaces. Exterior porches, balconies, terraces, and walkways extend from the building out into the landscape. The upper balconies are wide enough to install meeting and work tables and are technically equipped to become an extension of the office. The existing pines in the place inspired the landscape design, generating multiple environments within the same ambit. This tree, native to southern Europe, creates an ideal environment for the development of human activities, as its foliage blocks direct sun while allowing filtered light and breezes to pass through, creating a microhabitat of fresh air under its canopy.