Refugio de aves y mamíferos y depósito de agua | amann-canovas-maruri

The project is located in a protected forest, listed as a ‘Natura 2000 site’, in the city of Luxembourg.

The challenge is to integrate in a fragile context a drinking water reservoir of 1000m3 and 50 metres high.

To this end, a programme is generated which, after studying the conditions of the forest and its relationship with other Natura 2000 sites, includes spaces not only for local birds, but also a refuge for seasonal species. In the same way, the building takes into account the animal and plant species and has the vocation of becoming just another tree on the site. Its reflection therefore goes beyond human needs and thus becomes a project that is more than human.

The programme is divided into two volumes designed according to the strictest technical specifications. The first is a rough, prefabricated concrete skin in which swallows' nests are installed in an appropriate order at different heights and with precise orientations; a nest for peregrine falcons is also built in this volume at a height of 50 m. Both the materials and the positions have been studied by groups of naturalists and ornithologists who complement the design team.

The second volume is coated in cork, which acts as a thermal insulation layer against the water tank. A second permeable skin of untreated larch wood is built on top of this element. This wooden skin facilitates the nesting of seasonal species and the bat roosts are placed on it. This wooden skin will eventually be covered with vegetation, thus building a complement to the local ecosystem.

The ground floor is protected by a permeable metal skin that acts as a deterrent against intrusion into a strategic infrastructure. The exterior and interior paving in this area is made of rammed earth and its roof also becomes an element of vegetation covering. On the other hand, rainwater collection is studied and stored outside.

In short, a strictly contextual project is built which walks with nature.

Refugio de aves y mamíferos y depósito de agua

Competition: First Prize

Award: XIII Ibero-American Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism

Dates: 2019–2024

Developer: Service Eaux, Ville de Luxembourg

Project Architects: Temperaturas Extremas SLP: Atxu Amann / Andrés Cánovas / Nicolás Maruri

Associate Architect: Adelino Magalhaes

Site Supervision, Architects: Andrés Cánovas, Nicolás Maruri, Joachim Kraft, Ballini Pitt Architectes-Urbanistes - Jimmy Brunner

Structures: Simon-Christiansen & Associés Ingénieurs-Conseils

Installations: BSC Ingénieurs-Conseils (Building Solutions & Consulting)

Hydrology: Luxplan Ingénieurs-Conseils

Ecology and Biodiversity: Biomonitor

Technical Supervision: Secolux

Health and Safety: D3 Coordination

Construction Company: Galère Lux

Photography: Miguel Fernández-Galiano