EDU LOPEZ ARCHITECTS
GEO Headquarter
Location: Guadalajara Spain.
Date: Nov 2023 - Mar 2025
Typology: Office, Sport, Housing
Size: 43.000 sqm
Status: In construction.
Client: Interior Minister, Police Department.
Collaborators: Javier Perezs, Sandra Lanza, Jose Julio Díaz, Rocio Acedo, Angela Gallego, Carlos Calvo, Tash + partners (technical Attendance) Torné Ingenieros (Facilities, structural) AGB Ingenieros (Structural design)
Friendly encounter between tectonics and high tech
The solution adopted for the new GEO base is based on the main idea of ​​dividing the areas by use and placing them on their respective settlement platforms, but giving them the same formal and material unity, in such a way that a building complex is created made up of different volumetric units that are independent in their function, but that are physically connected and interrelated with each other to create a building unit. The idea of ​​creating different buildings that are independent of each other and therefore create the sensation of being in front of a single building is therefore discarded.
Exterior view
There are two volumes facing each other, leaving a courtyard between them to create training areas and as a courtyard for interrelating both parts. These two volumes, which are framed with a very tectonic and abstract configuration, support the main building intended for the operational offices and residential area.
This area is structured as an element in the form of a semi-open courtyard through a twisting volume. This element rests structurally on the spine of the sports building and on the two floors of the building itself, in such a way that one of its corners is “flying” over the aforementioned courtyard and gives the sensation of weightlessness. This element is actually supported by three “V” pillars that rest on the courtyard.
Exterior view
As for the administrative volume in the form of a courtyard, it is divided into two parts, the east is intended for the residential area and the west for the administrative area. Both parts are connected through a large atrium that runs through all the floors and creates visual relationships between the different users.
The building has four floors above ground level. This ground floor is configured as a longitudinal block on which the administrative building will be supported, which has the most common uses between the administrative area and the residence, such as the double-height assembly hall and the cafeteria and dining room. It should be noted that this floor leaves a very accentuated physical and visual permeability towards the interior of the building complex.
Atrio view
This interpenetration between all the areas is caused so that, from the entrance, only a volume of strong and very institutional character is perceived, while when you go through the main hall of the building and access the entire training area, you will see very rich spatial spaces, like many spatial situations where you can see the complexity of the building which is the reflection of the complexity of the work of the GEOS operatives.
Sports Center view
Materially, the building is mainly composed of a perforated metal skin (deploy type) that covers the administration and residence building, which folds and adapts to the uses inside and outside, giving prominence to the main façade, accentuating its institutional character. In the rest of the building, this skin will be interspersed with ventilated façades of a more stony character such as polymer concrete. The third material used will be glass in the form of curtain walls in certain areas of the building and metal sheets. The goal is to create a composition that is full of contrasts between the most rocky and robust part with the cleanest, smooth, transparent part full of reflections.
Auditorium view