The University of Málaga's Faculty of Tourism is a stunning architectural masterpiece designed by Vaillo + Irigaray Architects. This building is a prime example of how innovative design can blend seamlessly with tradition. The architects have masterfully created a space that not only meets the functional needs of a university but also pays homage to the rich history of cloisters and courtyards in Mediterranean architecture.
The Faculty of Tourism is located in the west of Málaga's center, as part of the university's expansion of its Teatinos campus. The campus is sprawling and low-lying, providing 22,904 square meters of teaching spaces and student facilities. The building is divided into three primary volumes, each positioned according to the topography of the gently sloping site, which allowed for a parking level to be sunk below ground.
Each volume is organized around a courtyard, designed to have a distinct 'personality'. One volume contains classrooms, another houses departmental offices, while the third has an auditorium, library, and cafeteria. The classroom and office volumes overlook gravel-lined gardens with concrete planters, while the cafeteria and auditorium overlook a paved courtyard with rows of palm trees.
The external concrete grid surrounding the courtyards acts as a colonnade, shading the faculty's cloister-like corridors lined with full-height glazing. This grid reinforces the personality of each space, creating a green, cool, and welcoming area around which all activity revolves, thus becoming a protected outdoor social space.
The three volumes are united by a central hall at its heart, conceived as an internal courtyard. It is topped by a sawtooth, skylit roof that filters daylight through a ceiling of concrete beams. The corridors that wrap this central space connect directly to each volume's cloister, uniting them all around a flexible, open area that can be used for events and exhibitions.
Surrounding the faculty building, a series of landscaped and paved slopes has been introduced, including a botanical garden, overlooked from perimeter windows set within the deep concrete grid. This design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also provides a peaceful and educational environment for students.
The building's image is formed by an exposed, in-situ concrete structure, both interior and exterior, with very slender, 15-centimeter-thick sections. This design choice not only adds to the building's visual appeal but also ensures its structural integrity and longevity.
The Faculty of Tourism is a testament to the power of architectural innovation and tradition. It is a space that not only educates but also inspires, inviting students and visitors to explore and engage with the rich history and culture of the Mediterranean region.
