Competition for Alicante Congress Center

International competition for the Congress Center of the City of Alicante, Spain.
Authors: moarqs without Sofia Cacchione architect, and Aracil & Flores Arquitectos
Project: Ignacio Montaldo, Sofia Cacchione, José María Flores Moreno, Antonio Aracil.
Project team: Nicolás Podestá, Silvina Aguiar, Catalina Ugarte, Blas Rowe.
Visualization: ethandeclerk
Structural Consultant: AHFSA Ing. Alberto Fainstein.
Acoustic Consultant: Gustavo Basso and María Andrea Farina.

The Congress Center is seen as more than just a building; it represents Alicante’s strategic vision to elevate itself globally and become a unique urban player. Drawing from successful projects elsewhere, it’s recognized that such a proposal should not only activate the local community but also embody the positive values of its surroundings. The proposal aims to set the Center as a global benchmark for efficiency and sustainability, while locally, it seeks to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Alicante, respecting its history and culture. Specifically, it aims to revitalize the Port area, making it a hub for commercial and cultural activities and enhancing tourism offerings. The project sees an opportunity to intervene in a significant part of the city, aiming to improve the Port area and integrate it seamlessly into daily life for both residents and visitors. Recognizing the iconic landmarks of Alicante, like the Santa Bárbara Castle, the proposal aims to add to the city’s visual identity by creating a new landmark, in harmony with existing structures. This is not to diminish the challenges these structures faced during construction but rather to embrace their character and contribute to the city’s visual allure. The design of the administrative program within the Center aims to be prominent yet harmonious with the urban landscape, integrating with the surrounding environment without obstructing views. The new volume, resembling a coastal tower, will engage with the memory of Alicante’s coastal towers, contributing to the site’s multi-layered approach. The proposal focuses on developing a contemporary, user-friendly, and energy-efficient building that serves as a landmark in Alicante’s transformation, incorporating the city’s daily life and emotional connection of its citizens. The large halls prioritize audience movement, and other functions are integrated into a vertical tower, contributing to its urban landmark status.