BIG WINS DESIGN COMPETITION FOR NEW RESEARCH CENTER IN SEVILLA

Located at the former EXPO ´92 Sevilla site, in Isla de la Cartuja, the new 9900 m2 building for the European Commission, ties into the City of Sevilla’s goal to become a global benchmark for sustainability by 2025 and the local vision of the eCitySevilla project to decarbonize and transition Isla de la Cartuja to 100% renewable energy sources. The JRC building will house 12 research units and supporting functions as well as public and private outdoor spaces. The international design competition kicked off in 2021 with 66 offices competing for the project, expected to break ground in 2024.  “With our design for the Joint Research Centre in Sevilla, more than anything, we have attempted to allow the sustainable performance of the building to drive an architectural aesthetic that not only makes the building perform better but also makes it more inhabitable and more beautiful – a new Andalusian environmental vernacular,” said Bjarke Ingels.” Having started my studies as an architect in Andalusia and later returning to ETSAB in Barcelona, to now having a 50–person BIG office in Barcelona, this project feels like coming full circle.”